Forza Horizon 4: Digital Purchase End Date Announced

Forza Horizon 4, the critically acclaimed open-world racing game, will be removed from major digital stores on December 15, 2024. This means no new purchases of the game or its DLC will be possible after this date. While the game has enjoyed immense popularity since its 2018 release, boasting over 24 million players (as of November 2020), license expirations necessitate its removal from digital platforms.

Initially launched on Xbox and later released on Steam, Forza Horizon 4 captivated players with its stunning recreation of the UK. Its success as a leading open-world driving game led to a large and dedicated player base. Despite previous assurances to the contrary, Playground Games has confirmed the delisting.

The news comes via a recent Forza.net blog post, specifying that the game will be removed from the Microsoft Store, Steam, and Xbox Game Pass on December 15th. Furthermore, DLC sales will cease on June 25th. Until the December delisting, players can still purchase the Standard, Deluxe, and Ultimate editions.

Forza Horizon 4's final content update, Series 77, runs from July 25th to August 22nd. Post-Series 77, the playlist screen will be unavailable, but daily and weekly challenges and Forzathon Live events will remain accessible via the Forza Events screen.

Existing owners (digital or physical) can continue playing without interruption. Game Pass subscribers with active, fully paid subscriptions who have purchased DLC will receive a game token soon to maintain access. While regrettable, this delisting mirrors the fate of other racing games due to the finite nature of music and vehicle licensing agreements. Even Forza Horizon 3 faced a similar fate.

Currently, Steam offers an 80% discount on Forza Horizon 4, and an Xbox Store sale is planned for August 14th, providing a final opportunity for those wishing to add this acclaimed title to their collection.