Forza Motorsport is Xbox’s simulation-focused racing series, developed by Turn 10 Studios, and it differs from its more arcade-like counterpart, Forza Horizon, which is developed by Playground Games. In 2023, Forza Motorsport saw a complete reboot that aimed to modernize the franchise, and it launched to good reviews. While praised for its visuals and refined handling, some players criticized its career mode, progression system, and lack of meaningful content at release.
Recently, Turn 10 faced layoffs as part of Microsoft’s 2025 restructuring, leading some fans to believe the Motorsport franchise had been quietly shelved in favor of prioritizing Forza Horizon, the more commercially successful half of the series.
Phil Spencer reassures fans: Turn 10 just needs time
In an interview with Famitsu, Phil Spencer, CEO of Gaming at Microsoft, was asked about the Forza Motorsport series and whether the IP had been cut off. His immediate response was, “No!” He went on to explain:
As for Forza Motorsport, we sometimes have to shift our focus to games that will be released earlier. And I also understand that many people reacted when the scale of Turn 10 Studios was reduced. As far as we are concerned, there are many games that we would like to support carefully, and sometimes we give the development team a little more time so that they do not continue to be in a state of tension.
Phil Spencer- Executive Vice President, Gaming at Microsoft
Spencer’s comments confirm that Motorsport isn’t cancelled, despite the recent layoffs at Turn 10. Instead, it’s being deprioritized while Xbox focuses on other projects. It’s reassuring to see Spencer acknowledge both the franchise and fan concern, and his mention of “giving the team a little more time” suggests something is still in the works for Forza Motorsport.
That said, actions speak louder than words, and many fans are finding it difficult to trust Microsoft and Xbox’s messaging lately.
Xbox’s uphill climb
As reported by Jason Schreier, Microsoft CFO Amy Hood has set unusually high expectations for the company’s gaming division by demanding 30% profit margins — a figure far above the industry norm of around 10–20%.
This shift toward profitability has likely contributed to widespread layoffs and the growing trend of Xbox titles appearing on other platforms, such as Forza Horizon 5 reportedly heading to PlayStation 5.
Fan perception of Xbox’s current direction remains uneasy. Between studio closures, cancelled projects, and continued job cuts, it’s a difficult time to feel optimistic. Xbox’s “everywhere” strategy still hasn’t convinced many fans that the vision of “everything is an Xbox” is anything more than corporate wishful thinking.
Patience and polish
For now, we’ll have to take Phil Spencer at his word that Forza Motorsport isn’t dead, but simply being given more time to avoid burnout and rushed releases. Still, with layoffs at Turn 10, that’s a difficult promise to believe.
Forza Motorsport has always been a technical showcase for Xbox hardware, and there’s every chance it will serve that purpose again for Microsoft’s next console. Spencer has confirmed that new hardware is in development and will be a first-party system built by Microsoft, not a third party.
Despite the current wave of layoffs and declining public confidence in Xbox, it’s reassuring that Turn 10 is being given time to build something meaningful rather than being rushed into another release. Hopefully, we’ll eventually see the results of that work — assuming Amy Hood doesn’t redirect more resources toward AI data centers and Microsoft’s expanding AI ambitions. That kind of shift could easily put not just Turn 10, but other creatively driven studios like Double Fine and Compulsion Games, at risk.
For now, fans craving more Forza can at least look forward to Forza Horizon 6, which is set in Japan and expected to launch next year.
FAQ
Is Forza Motorsport cancelled?
According to Phil Spencer, no. He says the game is still alive, but its focus has shifted while Xbox prioritizes other projects.
Why did fans think it was cancelled?
Layoffs at Turn 10 Studios during Microsoft’s 2025 restructuring fueled speculation that Motorsport had been shelved in favor of the more profitable Forza Horizon
What exactly did Spencer say?
In an interview with Famitsu, he said: “No! As for Forza Motorsport, we sometimes have to shift our focus to games that will be released earlier… sometimes we give the development team a little more time so they do not continue to be in a state of tension.”
Why the skepticism?
Xbox has a track record of studio closures, cancelled projects, and shifting strategies. Fans are wary of corporate reassurances that don’t match recent actions.
What’s next for Forza fans?
Forza Horizon 6, set in Japan, is expected next year. Motorsport may return later, potentially as a technical showcase for the next Xbox console, but nothing concrete has been promised.
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