Latest news with #Turn10Studios
The Drive
07-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Drive
Forza Motorsport Series Could Be Finished as Microsoft Guts Dev Team
The latest car news, reviews, and features. Last week, we learned of massive job cuts across Microsoft's various divisions that produce Xbox games. Forza Motorsport developer Turn 10 Studios was among the departments hardest hit by the move, as The Verge reported that the Redmond, Washington-based team lost over 70 people from its ranks. The layoffs appeared to have affected key individuals across the whole company, from physics and audio leads to artists, engineers, and community support personnel. And it's left the future of the Motorsport side of the brand in limbo, following a comprehensive live service reboot with the most recent entry released in 2023. Late last week, an employee who last worked at Turn 10 in 2016 named Fred Russell posted on Facebook that Forza Motorsport was 'shuttered,' but the Forza Horizon franchise 'would continue.' The Verge's report linked above states that the layoffs have left 'enough people behind to keep Forza Motorsport up and running,' though that doesn't necessarily mean that the game will receive new content going forward—just that it'll stay online. Motorsport got a significant update in May celebrating the franchise's 20th anniversary, bringing a large number of new single-player events, retrospective races, and, most notably, the return of the fan-favorite Fujimi Kaido track to the series. Last month, before the staff cuts, Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer mentioned the arrival of 'the next Forza' in 2026, which would coincide with the 25th anniversary of the original Xbox. It was already assumed that this upcoming title would be a new entry in the open-world, arcade Forza Horizon series, rather than a new Motorsport sim, and the Turn 10 layoffs would seem to confirm that. The last Horizon came out in 2021, after all, and that series is managed by U.K.-based Playground Games, unlike Motorsport , which has always belonged to Turn 10. What's left of Turn 10 would supposedly assist Playground in building Forza Horizon 6 . The Drive has reached out to Microsoft about the future of the Forza Motorsport franchise, and will update this story should we learn anything. The Nürburgring Nordschleife missed Forza Motorsport's launch, and was added to the game months later. Xbox Game Studios The latest Forza Motorsport was released to mixed reception in October 2023, with many reviewers and gamers praising its handling and rebuilt circuits, but finding fault with its experimental single-player campaign, performance on Xbox consoles and particularly PC, and day-one bugs. In early 2024, one of many contractors who worked on the game shared his account about a challenging development environment. Forza Motorsport quickly became one of Microsoft's tentpole gaming properties alongside Halo and Project Gotham Racing toward the tail-end of the original Xbox's lifecycle. The first entry emerged in May 2005, three months after Gran Turismo 4 dropped on the PlayStation 2. While it was clearly Microsoft's aim to compete with Sony's racing simulator, Forza had a different identity, mostly based around letting players do all the things Gran Turismo refused to—including damaging vehicles, modifying them cosmetically, swapping powertrains, and designing liveries. Official press shots from the first Forza Motorsport . Xbox Game Studios Forza Motorsport was the grassroots challenger to the more suave and avant-garde Gran Turismo , capturing automotive subcultures from the 2000s tuner boom to golden-age American muscle and contemporary motorsports. And its soundtrack, largely consisting of Junkie XL arrangements of classic guitar rock jams, was the furthest cry imaginable from GT's jubilant jazz. The series would arguably hit its zenith during the Xbox 360 generation, with FM3 taking Xbox's racing sim to new heights, and FM4 arguably perfecting the formula. Since the release of Playground Games' first open-world Forza Horizon game in 2010, however, the more casual spinoff has eclipsed Motorsport in general popularity. Forza Motorsport hasn't managed to quite recapture its magic from 15 years ago—and, frankly, neither has Xbox—but there was always this hope that the series would get back on its feet again, and reclaim its place as a leader in the genre, rather than a follower. That dream is sadly looking bleaker than ever, 20 years and two months since the very beginning. Got a tip? Reach the author at
ArabGT
06-07-2025
- Automotive
- ArabGT
Forza Motorsport Faces Uncertain Future Amid Major Microsoft Layoffs
In a stunning development that has rocked the gaming world, multiple reports suggest that the long-running Forza Motorsport series may be nearing its end. Following a sweeping wave of layoffs at Microsoft, key developers at Turn 10 Studios—the heart of the Motorsport franchise—have been let go, casting serious doubt over the series' future. A Franchise in Limbo For years, Forza Motorsport set the gold standard for racing simulators, beloved for its realism and precision. Now, that legacy appears to be in jeopardy. Industry insiders report that active development on the series has come to a halt, as Microsoft shifts its priorities toward the more accessible and commercially successful Forza Horizon games. Turn 10 Team Disbanded In July 2025, Microsoft announced a restructuring that saw roughly 9,000 jobs cut across its gaming division. Among the hardest hit was Turn 10 Studios, where the Forza Motorsport team was drastically reduced. Former employees have revealed that the studio is no longer focused on producing new Motorsport titles and is now providing technical support for Horizon projects instead. Silence and Speculation Microsoft has yet to officially confirm the series' fate, but the lack of updates since the last release in 2023—and troubling comments from ex-team members—paint a bleak picture. One developer described the team as 'effectively dismantled,' adding that there's no meaningful effort being made to continue the franchise in its traditional form. Motorsport vs Horizon: The Shift in Strategy The pivot becomes clearer when comparing the two franchises. Motorsport, designed for purists and sim enthusiasts, has struggled to keep up with the soaring popularity of Horizon, known for its open-world appeal and broader player base. With Horizon outselling Motorsport by a wide margin, Microsoft appears to have chosen the safer, more profitable path. Fans React with Frustration Disappointment has poured in from the gaming community. On platforms like Reddit, fans have voiced feelings of betrayal, mourning what they see as the erosion of a legacy. Some have called it 'the end of an era,' accusing Microsoft of abandoning the series' roots in favor of short-term gains. A Legacy in Peril Though no official cancellation has been announced, the signs are grim. With Turn 10's diminished role and a noticeable shift in Microsoft's strategy, the future of Forza Motorsport remains uncertain. Yet, some fans remain hopeful that the franchise could eventually return—perhaps reimagined, but true to its simulation-driven spirit. Has Microsoft truly parked Forza Motorsport for good? Or could the series find a new path forward in the evolving world of racing games? The track ahead is unclear, but one thing is certain: Forza Motorsport's legacy still holds a special place in the hearts of racing purists.
Time of India
05-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Everwild, Perfect Dark and other games that are getting cancelled after latest Microsoft layoffs
Microsoft has announced substantial layoffs impacting as many as 9,000 employees across its various divisions, also impacting its Xbox division, with numerous studio closures, game cancellations and widespread layoffs. The exact number of affected Xbox employees remains undisclosed. Reports indicate that over 70 staff members at Turn 10 Studios, the developer behind Forza Motorsport, will be let go, affecting the "vast majority" of the studio's personnel. Major game projects face setbacks The impact on Xbox's game development ecosystem is severe, with multiple studios and projects reportedly hit: Rare and Everwild: British developer Rare has seen its highly anticipated game, Everwild, canceled, as per Gamespot. Announced in 2019, the project was reportedly in development for a decade and underwent a reboot, but ultimately failed to find the right direction. The Initiative and Perfect Dark: One of Microsoft's newer studios, The Initiative, is reportedly closing, leading to the cancellation of its first game, a new Perfect Dark. Reports from May 2024 had indicated the game was in "rough shape." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Top 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo A New ZeniMax MMORPG: A new multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) from The Elder Scrolls Online developer ZeniMax Online Studios, reportedly codenamed "Blackbird" and in development since 2018, has also been canceled. Longtime executive Matt Firor is also departing the company, the report said. Romero Games: Funding for a new, unannounced game from Romero Games, headed by John and Brenda Romero, has been canceled by its publisher, believed to be Microsoft. Brenda Romero's social media post indicated a "strategic decision made at a high level within the publisher," with an affected staffer directly attributing their job loss to "the recent Xbox layoffs." Microsoft job cuts result in widespread layoffs across key game developers Beyond game cancellations and studio closures, numerous other developers integral to Xbox's portfolio have reportedly faced significant staffing reductions: Turn 10 Studios: The Forza Motorsport developer was reportedly hit hard, with nearly 50% of its staff let go, though the exact number remains unconfirmed. Raven Software: An esteemed Call of Duty co-development studio, responsible for Black Ops 6 (2024) and Black Ops 7 (2025), was affected. High Moon Studios: A long-time Call of Duty co-developer, known for its contributions to Call of Duty: Warzone, has also been impacted. Sledgehammer Games: Another prominent Call of Duty co-developer, Sledgehammer Games, has faced layoffs as part of the wider Microsoft cuts. Blizzard and Warcraft Rumble: Blizzard has announced that support for Warcraft Rumble will cease in its current form, with no new content added. While some employees will shift roles, as many as 100 people are reportedly being laid off. Halo Studios: The development team formerly known as 343 Industries, currently working on multiple upcoming Halo titles, was also affected by the widespread layoffs. AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Motor 1
04-07-2025
- Automotive
- Motor 1
Forza Motorsport Could Be in Trouble Following Microsoft Layoffs
It might be the end of an era for racing fans. Microsoft has allegedly slashed the staff at Turn 10 Studios, the developer behind the Forza Motorsport video game franchise. It's unclear how many people the studio laid off, but reports indicate that nearly half the staff has been let go. The Verge is reporting that around 70 people were fired, and it's unclear how this will affect future installments of the Forza Motorsport franchise. The studio launched the franchise's latest installment in 2023, simply named Forza Motorsport , for the Xbox Series X/S and PC. It garnered tepid reviews , with some disliking parts of the game's newer elements, like the RPG-style progression system, which the studio attempted to address. Photo by: Turn 10 Studios However, gamers have generally enjoyed the Motorsport franchise. Early examples of the game earned Metacritic scores in the low 90s; however, the scores began to falter with the release of Forza Motorsport 5 . Forza Motorsport (2023) was the eighth installment in the series. The franchise launched in 2005 as Xbox's response to PlayStation's Gran Turismo . Microsoft would expand the Forza franchise with the launch of Forza Horizon , an arcade-style open-world alternative that emphasized the motoring lifestyle more than perfect lap times at iconic tracks. The layoffs at Turn 10 were part of a larger culling throughout Microsoft's various divisions. There are no reports that the tech giant laid off anyone at the studio behind the Horizon franchise, England's Playground Games, which is also available on the PlayStation. We're All Waiting For This, Anyway: A New Grand Theft Auto VI Trailer Just Dropped. It Looks Insane Wasted: Grand Theft Auto VI Is Delayed Until 2026 Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Photo by: Turn 10 Studios Sources: The Verge , Insider Gaming Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
Motor 1
04-07-2025
- Automotive
- Motor 1
Forza Motorsport Could Be in Trouble Following Microsoft Layoffs
It might be the end of an era for racing fans. Microsoft has allegedly slashed the staff at Turn 10 Studios, the developer behind the Forza Motorsport video game franchise. It's unclear how many people the studio laid off, but reports indicate that nearly half the staff has been let go. The Verge is reporting that around 70 people were fired, and it's unclear how this will affect future installments of the Forza Motorsport franchise. The studio launched the franchise's latest installment in 2023, simply named Forza Motorsport , for the Xbox Series X/S and PC. It garnered tepid reviews , with some disliking parts of the game's newer elements, like the RPG-style progression system, which the studio attempted to address. Photo by: Turn 10 Studios However, gamers have generally enjoyed the Motorsport franchise. Early examples of the game earned Metacritic scores in the low 90s; however, the scores began to falter with the release of Forza Motorsport 5 . Forza Motorsport (2023) was the eighth installment in the series. The franchise launched in 2005 as Xbox's response to PlayStation's Gran Turismo . Microsoft would expand the Forza franchise with the launch of Forza Horizon , an arcade-style open-world alternative that emphasized the motoring lifestyle more than perfect lap times at iconic tracks. The layoffs at Turn 10 were part of a larger culling throughout Microsoft's various divisions. There are no reports that the tech giant laid off anyone at the studio behind the Horizon franchise, England's Playground Games, which is also available on the PlayStation. We're All Waiting For This, Anyway: A New Grand Theft Auto VI Trailer Just Dropped. It Looks Insane Wasted: Grand Theft Auto VI Is Delayed Until 2026 Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Photo by: Turn 10 Studios Sources: The Verge , Insider Gaming Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
