Is Forza Motorsport 7 currently not available in your account?
The short answer is yes, Microsoft‘s hit racing simulation Forza Motorsport 7 has been delisted and is no longer available for new purchases or through Xbox Game Pass subscriptions. As a long-time automotive gaming fan, I was disheartened by the September 2021 discontinuation of what is arguably the pinnacle of simulation racing on Xbox consoles.
However, there is promising news about the future of the iconic series. While we mourn the loss of Forza Motorsport 7, let‘s examine why it was removed from sale and what the next chapter may hold for Xbox‘s flagship racing franchise.
Why Forza Motorsport 7 Got Delisted
According to an official statement from the Forza Support Twitter account, the game was discontinued because the licenses for various real-world vehicles and tracks were due to expire.
Forza Motorsport 7 will reach End of Life status on September 15, 2021. That means that the game will no longer be available for purchase. For more info: https://t.co/6i3Qr4hUls
— Forza Support (@forza_support) July 2, 2021
Unlike purely fictional vehicles in racing games, Forza Motorsport relies heavily on licensed real-world cars and tracks to provide an authentic simulation experience. However, when these licenses expire, they must be renewed at likely high cost. Xbox Game Studios decided not to renew or extend all expiring licenses for Forza 7.
The Popularity of an Ill-Fated King
Prior to its delisting, Forza Motorsport 7 was a best-seller during its lifetime as the current flagship of the acclaimed franchise. Let‘s look at some statistics:
| Units Sold | Over 5 million |
| Peak Players (March 2021) | Over 95,000 on Xbox |
| Metacritic Score | 86 on Xbox, 84 on PC |
Despite being a Nos. of 4 years old at the time, Forza Motorsport 7 still boasted impressive engagement. Its Metacritic scores also place it strongly among the racing genre‘s elite.
For context, direct competitor Gran Turismo Sport sits at around 79 score average across reviews. Other contemporaries like Project CARS 2 and F1 2021 are in the low 80s.
So while Forza Motorsport 7 aged well enough from a critical reception standpoint, clearly the licensing costs eventual outweighed continuing to invest in keeping it available. A tough loss for loyal gearheads indeed.
Gazing into the Future – The Next Forza Motorsport
While the discontinuation of the well-loved Forza Motorsport 7 stings, long-time fans like myself ultimately have their sights set on what comes next. Let‘s look at what we know so far about the upcoming series entry:
Core Details
- Currently named just "Forza Motorsport" suggesting a franchise reset
- Built from the ground up for Xbox Series X/S optimization with ray tracing
- Likely targeting a 2023 release after delays from 2022
- Will be available on Game Pass at launch per Xbox first-party standards
It‘s not a ton of concrete info yet, but the game is confirmed to be a next-gen showcase using the full power of Series X hardware for visuals and performance.
As a lapsed gearhead gamer, I‘m most excited by the potential evolution in car culture representation and customization. I‘d love to see deeper RPG-like progression for my driver profile and collection. spec aspects like aerodynamic components, tires, boost pressure tuning, etc. Car modification is my jam!
The Leader‘s Challenge
While fans like myself twiddle our thumbs waiting for the next mainline Forza Motorsport, there is thankfully no shortage of great racing games to tide us over.
For Xbox owners, Playground Games‘ open-world playground Forza Horizon 5 took the crown in 2021 as racing game of the year. Offering a more arcade and accessibility-focused experience, it nevertheless scratched my car culture itch with its style and customization.
However, more simulation-focused fans have also been enjoying Gran Turismo 7, which just launched earlier this month for PlayStation. The classic franchise makes its debut on PS5 hardware with extremely detailed car models and driving dynamics.
Forza Motorsport‘s next chapter will have strong competition in 2023. But as an ardent Xbox supporter in this console war, I remain loyal that Turn 10 will retake the simulation crown whenever they are ready!
Let me know your thoughts on this news in the comments, gearheads! Do you have fond memories and stories from Forza Motorsport 7 to share? And what would you like to see from Forza‘s future?
