Introduction:
For all the Forza Horizon fans out there, we’ve got some news you’ll want to hear. Turn 10, the team behind the game, recently announced that the online services for Forza Horizon and Forza Horizon 2 will be closing on August 22, 2023. If you’re wondering what this means for your gaming experience, we’ve got you covered.
What’s Happening?
Turn 10 points out that both Forza Horizon and Forza Horizon 2 have a “very small player population,” leading them to focus on their more current games. This decision affects not only the Xbox One versions but also the Xbox 360 editions of the games. Even the standalone game, Forza Horizon 2 Presents Fast & Furious, won’t be spared.
What’s Closing Down?
The closure primarily impacts online features such as matchmaking, leaderboards, and browsing and downloading of online User Generated Content (UGC), including liveries, vinyls, tuning setups, and photos. While the single-player mode will remain playable, the online functions will bid farewell on August 22, 2023.
No Strictly Online Achievements Worries:
If you’re an achievement hunter, here’s some good news. There are no strictly online achievements tied to Forza Horizon 2 or Forza Horizon 2 Presents Fast & Furious. So, you can still aim for those achievements without worrying about the online servers shutting down.
The Fate of Earlier Online Functionality:
Turn 10 acknowledges that due to the age of these games and their services, “access to online functionality even prior to the official closure date is not guaranteed.” This means that as the games and servers have aged, the reliability of accessing online features might have been a bit shaky even before the official closure announcement.
What Can You Still Do?
While the online features are taking a bow, you can continue enjoying the single-player experience. So, if you love cruising through the Forza Horizon world on your own, you can still do that without any worries.
What About FH1 and FH2 Servers?
Turn 10 admits that servers for FH1 and FH2 have been a bit unpredictable in recent years. So, getting online and popping achievements might not always have been a smooth ride. With the upcoming closure, it’s essential to be aware that any online functionality is not a guarantee even before the official shutdown date.
Conclusion:
In a nutshell, the online services for Forza Horizon and Forza Horizon 2 are waving goodbye on August 22, 2023. While the single-player experience remains intact, online features like matchmaking and leaderboards will be no more. Don’t fret about online achievements, though – there are none strictly tied to these games. Keep in mind that even before the official closure, accessing online functionality might not have been a sure thing due to the games’ age.
For those who have been cruising through the virtual roads of Forza Horizon, it’s a bit of a bummer, but hey, the memories live on in the single-player mode. As the sun sets on the online services, we can only hope that Turn 10’s focus on their current games brings even more excitement to the gaming community. Happy gaming, and may your virtual engines always roar!