Forza development studio Turn 10 will be fully merged into Playground Games. At the same time, Dan Greenawalt, one of the founders of the racing game series, is also leaving the company. These changes have raised questions about the future direction of this popular racing franchise.
Forza fans have received two pieces of bad news: veteran developer Turn 10 is set to change its name after more than twenty years of operation, and Dan Greenawalt, one of the founders of the series, is also leaving.
According to The Verge, Turn 10 has been fully merged into Playground Games and will operate under the new name Playground Games Redmond. Microsoft had previously announced plans to merge the two studios last September.
This marks the end of an era in Xbox history. Turn 10 Studios was founded in 2001 and developed eight Forza titles, with the first game launching in 2005. Going forward, the former Turn 10 team will assist their UK colleagues in developing Forza Horizon and the upcoming fantasy RPG Fable.
A key creator of the Forza series is also leaving
Alongside the studio's rebranding, fans are also saying goodbye to Dan Greenawalt. A 27-year veteran of Microsoft, he was not only a co-founder of Turn 10 Studios but also one of the main driving forces behind the Forza series. According to The Verge, Playground Games head Trevor Williams explicitly acknowledged Greenawalt's contributions to the development of the Forza series in an internal memo. Greenawalt is retiring but is expected to continue advising the new studio's leadership during the transition period.
The future of Forza remains uncertain
The Forza series has always focused on delivering realistic track racing experiences, striving for authentic racing simulation. However, Playground Games created a more accessible option with Forza Horizon, featuring arcade-style driving and an open world.
It remains unclear whether we will see another true Forza Motorsport game. With one of the series' core creators departing and the entire development team absorbed by Playground Games, Forza (2023) may well be the final chapter for this long-running franchise. On Reddit, many fans expressed disappointment at this development and hoped that at least some elements of the Forza series would be incorporated into future Forza Horizon titles.