Key Takeaways
- Turn 10 Studios reportedly lost nearly 50% of its staff, halting development on Forza Motorsport.
- The future of the racing sim series is bleak, with only legacy support remaining.
- Forza Horizon 6 is expected to release next year, possibly expanding to PS5 audiences.
It has been a grim week for Xbox fans following massive internal shakeups at Microsoft. Among the biggest casualties appears to be Forza Motorsport, one of the platform’s premier simulation racing franchises. Amid sweeping layoffs, the future of the franchise is now highly uncertain.
Turn 10 Studios Reportedly Gutted
Microsoft recently laid off 9,000 employees, shuttered key studios like The Initiative, and canceled multiple projects including Perfect Dark. One of the most affected was Turn 10 Studios, the developer behind Forza Motorsport. According to former employee Fred Russell, the studio has effectively shut down the Motorsport team entirely, with remaining staff now focused on supporting Forza Horizon, developed primarily by Playground Games.
While Russell has not worked at Turn 10 for some time, he remains connected within the industry. His claims align with widespread concerns about the feasibility of producing another AAA racing sim after losing nearly half the studio’s talent.
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A Storied Franchise at a Standstill
Forza Motorsport launched its eighth and most recent installment in 2023. The series celebrated its 20th anniversary in May 2025, but rather than renewed momentum, it now seems like the series is being quietly phased out. With the franchise historically positioned as a showcase for Xbox’s technical capabilities—alongside Halo and Gears of War—its potential demise marks the end of an era for sim racing fans on the platform.
Forza Horizon to Carry the Torch
With Motorsport on indefinite hold, all eyes now turn to Forza Horizon. The open-world, arcade-style racer has long eclipsed its sibling in popularity and is expected to release Forza Horizon 6 sometime in 2026. Speculation also points to a PlayStation 5 release, following the fifth game’s success on the platform. Horizon’s accessible gameplay, seasonal changes, and open-world exploration may continue to define Xbox’s racing presence—albeit at the cost of the more serious simulation fans once cherished.
