Forza Horizon 3 may already be in development at Playground Games

Forza Horizon 2 launched last September on both Xbox One and Xbox 360 to countless positive reviews and since then, monthly content updates. The game was also one of the biggest for Microsoft’s Holiday 2014 season as marked in their FY15 Q2 earnings call.

[marlinfan10]

Wouldn't surprise me. Fh2 is probably the best racing game I've ever played. I can't wait to see what 3 will be like.

@darkocelet

Forza and FH are two completely different racers developed by different devs

[nicksetzer1]

Yea, would surprise noone, pointless news. It is coming up on a year since release of FH2 so it is not like they just sat back and did nothing for a year. Yes there is still content being made for horizon 2 but that is usually handled by a select few. Not a single successful dev in history who did nothing for an entire year after releasing a game, of course they are working on the next...

[Transistor]

This is completely a surprise, Forza Horizon 2 sold terribly everywhere aside from the UK.

Good news though, they are good games and Sumo is a great studio.

[christocolus]

@Transistor

Lol. That's what you guys love to believe. Why are you surprised? Did MS show you official sales numbers? The closest thing to official sales numbers was VG charts 350k (1 week sales) across Xbox One and Xbox 360.

Phil was with the team at Playground a few weeks after the release of FH2 to congratulate them.The game might even be well over a mill copies sold now,also the success of the game depends on the budget too,The first Forza Horizon on xbox 360 was considered a success after selling 650,000k and it went on to sell even more and does anyone know how much it cost MS to develop FH2? No. All we know is that the game was a success for MS and that's all that matters, infact MCC and FH2 are still topping charts in UK after over 6 months of being released. It's funny how you guys just make up stuff and overtime start believing it. Did you actually expect both games to Flop?

During MS FY 15 earnings call they mentioned MCC and FH2 being major contributors to the divisions earnings.both games were very successful.I bet even SO didn't do as bad as most of you claim.

[RiseofScorpio]

Wow Trollsistor makes his way to another Xbox thread with his ignorance. FH took 18 months to develop whilst Driveclub had been delayed for 11. Its all about budget management of the game whether its a fail or not.

[Transistor]

@chris

It didn't do 350k. It did 150k combined between Xbox One and 360 which is why it didn't chart on NPD launch month or anytime after that.

If you really persist with this I'll hunt down the leaked numbers from Cream.

It sold terribly.

[christocolus]

@Transistor

http://www.vgchartz.com/art...

Why are you trying so hard to prove to me that it flopped?its obvious it didn't.it was just a certain group hoping and wishing it to fail. I don't understand. Are you mad about FH2's success? MS stated it during their FY15 earnings call. They said MCC and FH2 helped drive growth . Both games did well&a sequel to FH2 is most likely in the works as we speak.

[Rookie_Monster]

Transistor,

Instead of using vgchartz and made up numbers. Lets look how the real world really work.

If a product don't sell, there is no way MS or any company for that matter, continue to keep making sequels to them. So Horizon must be doing OK and is successful enough for MS to continue to fund its development. Simple logic man.

You were also bloating about Driveclub sales everywhere as well from your other posts. If DC sold so well as you say, where is the rumored sequel? Where is the rumor LB Kart racing from Sony?

You don't get how business work do you?

Speaking of the UK, Forza Horizon 2 has been on the top 40 weekly chart since it came out last September. It was just placed 11th last week while DC is gone from the chart for ages now.

Just to rub it in, here is the situation in the USA and using the legit leaked December NPD sales chart curtesy of Neogaf and Creamsugar as an example and not the made up vgchartz that I know you just love. So at the end of 2014, Driveclub only sold 84K in the US while the XB1 version of FH2 had already surpass 300k as of December and you said it only did 150k? LOL. Now go spin that!

Xbox One (LTD)
MC < 330k
Forza Horizon 2 > 325k
SO > 280k
MCC > 1 Million

PS 4 (LTD)
ISS > 800k
TLOUR ~ > 650k
MC > 250k
LBP3 ~ 240k
DriveClub: 84k

source: http://webcache.googleuserc...

Let go of the hatred and enjoy games man instead of hating or loving a piece of plastic.

[dancerOfDeath]

Sony fans love to hate and downplay FH2 in any way possible.

Jealousy breeds contempt.

All I know is that the game is phenomenal, and that week after week it is among the top played games on my friends list. Microsoft has expressed satisfaction with the sales numbers. I see no reason to doubt them.

Though, I'm sure we are all absolutely DYING to see Transistors leaked rumored insider physical retail numbers, because they definitely tell the whole story.

Definitely.

Did I say definitely?

As far as I'm concerned, Forza is untouchable, both Turn 10 and Playground should just keep doing what they're doing. My Thrustmaster TX is begging for Motorsport 6.

[Transistor]

The link you posted doesn't lead to anything.

Some of those numbers are wrong and the NeoGaf link is dead.

Also, I don't think you know what LTD means. If that link works for you tell me when those Xbox One numbers were posted.

Also Driveclub didn't sell well either, I never said it did.

Edit: Reading it again it makes sense. It was posted in December. LTD those numbers are correct. Between September and December it did 350k.

Thanks. Lol. You just proved my point.

[uptownsoul]

@Rookie_Monster

Its funny that you say, "Lets look how the real world really work." But your list:
Xbox One (LTD)
MC < 330k
Forza Horizon 2 > 325k
SO > 280k
MCC > 1 Million

PS 4 (LTD)
ISS > 800k
TLOUR ~ > 650k
MC > 250k
LBP3 ~ 240k
DriveClub: 84k
is all from NPD which only tracks USA and not the World.

And we all know that PS4 is destroying XB1 in Europe & Asia where they have nearly 80% 8th generation market share: http://gamingbolt.com/sony-...

So when you factor in not just USA Lifetime numbers of these games, but GLOBAL Lifetime numbers the PS4 games start skyrocketing.

[nicksetzer1]

@transistor his link is fine, copied this right from it.... playing dumb isn't going to undo your above stated lies And downplay.

"Xbox One (LTD)
MC < 330k
FH2 > 325k
SO > 280k
MCC > 1 Mio. ( http://www.neogaf.com/forum... )

PS 4 (LTD)
ISS > 800k
TLOUR ~ > 650k
MC > 250k
LBP3 ~ 240k
DC: 84k
http://www.neogaf.com/forum... "

@uptown you are proving his point, transistor said horizon only sold 150k worldwide and claimed to have insider knowledge proving such. So what are you trying to prove by whining about global sales Between PS4 and XB1? They are completely unrelated.

Transistor said:
"It didn't do 350k. It did 150k combined between Xbox One and 360"

Rookies post PROVES that transistor is not only wrong, but that US sales on XB1 alone destroy his made up number.

How you somehow managed to go on some delusional rant about global console sales noone knows. Especially when the point being argued was sales for horizon 2...

EDIT: @transistor except no, it is XBOX ONE sales only, hence the giant "xbox one" at the begining of the xbox one sales info... You seriously will try to twist your way into any lie you can to defame anything with an MS sticker on it. You need to grow up.

@uptown transistor said it was wrong,hence me tagging him. Also, noone is "debating one regions sales" it was simply a post to show that 150k sales for XB1 and XB360 combined is a hallucination dreamed up by transistor. You are taking it personally when it is literally just a confirmation that the sales for horizon 2 were not 150k. Also, horizon released september 30th, how would 1 day possibly win MS a whole month?

[uptownsoul]

@nicksetzer1

Who said his link was wrong? Debating 1 region's sales means little since Publishers and Developers care more about global sales. And thats why the trend is in PS4's favor

And Forza Horizon 2(end of September 2014 release date) didn't do well enough to win XB1 September or October's NPD anyways

[Transistor]

Thanks to Rookie Monster we know. Forza Horizon sold 350k which would be Xbox One and 360 between September and December.

It didn't sell well.

LTD stands for life to date.

Like I said, it's launch was 150k.

Sunset did under 100k at launch which you also proved for me.

[nicksetzer1]

@transiator "Like I said, it's launch was 150k.

Sunset did under 100k at launch which you also proved for me."

I really don't get how you are coming to these conclusions. This is XB1 sales only in the US ONLY. The numbers are much higher than your random claims, sales decrease each month, not increase and you are claiming global sales for games that are lower than the US sales alone. Yea, they are life to date, how does rhat make your randomly assigned global number any more accurate?

You truly will believe what you want and have already made up your mind. Sad to see someone so blinded by brand names and plastic boxes....

[christocolus]

@Nick

What amazes me about Transistor is his determination to prove FH2 was a flop,even when he knows it was a success.It hurts him to see Xbox One games successful. You never see him this determined when it is something related to his precious platform.When it comes to PS4 he is always quick to post Neogaf links,vg chartz etc. He handles all information regarding his precious console with so much attention to detail;he is always very careful and precise in providing links to back up his claims and prove all naysayers wrong but here he is in an xbox article trying so hard to falsify figures and downplay the success of FH2. It's just so pathetic.he is the worst type of troll. I'm done with that guy. Nick just ignore him. what matters is that FH2 was a success and we will be getting a sequel.

For anyone who is upset, jelly,salty or bitter about the success of FH2. i've got this to say...

Deal with it.

[Transistor]

I should have clarified. The 150k and 100k numbers are from NPD.

So you can expect worldwide numbers to be under double.

BTW, the persecution complex here is comical.

It's OK, it can still be a good game if it doesn't sell well. I love Driveclub even though it sold terribly on NPD.

You guys need to relax.

[nicksetzer1]

It is not the sales numbers that are an issue, nor our feelings for the game. It is your unjustified need to make up assanine number to put a game down that isn't on your console of choice.

Just like the one month sony lost NPD out of all 2015 so far you felt compelled to scrounge the net for numbers that showed by how little it won.

You mindlessly drone with only one goal, to downplay or diminish anything that isn't on your console of choice. Meanwhile bloating and exaggerating everything to benefit the console of your choice.

The reality is you have to both lie and be a total hypocrite to accomplish that, and you have done both of those equally. You always like to claim I am a "known fanboy." Yet I own and play both consoles, have PS+ and XBL and judge situations with the same perspective. You will not find a situation where I chastise one company then praise another for the same thing.

You just are so deluded you take someone who is not blindly happy about every single thing as a fanboy, which ironically is the exact opposite of the truth.

Horizon scored well, sold well, advertised well and was a completely functional game at launch. There is obviously goin to be a sequel regardless of any miniscule thing you plan to pick at or make up conpletely.

[DOMination-]

N4G is as corrupt as FIFA and the proof is in the amount of bubbles Transistor has

[LexHazard79]

@waluigi, bwhaahahaha! That was awesome! Bub for funny.

[christocolus]

I'm happy about the success of FH, but i wouldn't be surprised if PG's new game turns out to be something entirely new..it could be one of MS many racing franchises i.e PGR, Rallisport Challenge and Midtown Madness or it could be a brand new ip(not racing)

[spicelicka]

Agreed, totally took me by surprise!

[Magicite]

MS gonna milk the hell out of Forza and Halo this gen. And dont give me disagrees, because its truth.

[dancerOfDeath]

mmm, delicious milk. I hope that makes Halo cookies.

[vega275]

I like halo oatmeal cookies with some chocolate forza milk plz

[3-4-5]

Forza Horizon 2 is the most fun I've ever had playing a driving or racing game ever outside of Mario Kart.

* It's realistic enough, yet open and fun enough to just cruise around and do whatever.

There is a freedom and pure fun aspect to the game that most experience.

* I showed FH2...and played it with my brothers and some of my friends and their friends.

None of us are "car guy", but we all agreed that Forza Horizon 2 was by far the best racing game we had all played.

I've been gaming since the late 80's.....it's a solid driving game....One of the best ever made.

So to here FH3 is in the works make me very happy.

I never played FH1, but playing FH2 has me liking that Horizon series even somewhat more than the regular Forza series, in that I can do track races or open road.

[hells_supernova]

Of couse it is they only have another year before release

[DarkOcelet]

So i guess its sort of official that Forza is yearly franchise now eh?

Hopefully the quality of the games doesn't suffer from that decision.

[nicksetzer1]

franchise is yearly, but each team has 2 years per game.

motorsport (sim) - every 2 years
horizon (arcade open world) - every 2 years.

2 completely seperate teams and they are boh huge and talented. Horizon 2 was amazing, I am sure 3 will be no exception.

[DarkOcelet]

Call of Duty is in production by three different teams and nobody can deny that the quality of the games are declining through out the years.

And so is Assassins Creed.

So like i said, hopefully the quality of the games doesn't suffer.

[marlinfan10]

Forzas been every 2 years for 10 years now

Forza 1- 2005
Forza 2- 2007
Forza 3- 2009
Forza 4- 2011
Forza 5- 2013
Forza 6- most likely 2015 (don't know if there's a release date yet)

Fh- 2012
Fh2- 2014

Quality has gone no where but up. Some would argue 5 wasn't as great as it could've been due to being rushed for launch, but it's still the best Sim of the generation and the 2nd best racing game period behind fh2 imo

[Rookie_Monster]

Stop hating DarkOcelet.

Just because there is a same name attached to it, they are totally different racers made by different teams. Your COD and Assassin's Creed examples are not good one as all those games stick to a similar style and formula every year. A sim racer is totally different than an open-world racer.

Your concerns with quality declining is laughable. On Xbox 360, each Motorsports sequel that comes out every 2 years was better than the previous one and Forza 4 was one of the best racers of all time and it has some of the best graphics and ran completely on a new engine.

Forza Horizon 2 is an opened-world racer that outdid its predecessor in every way.

What makes you think the quality will suffer when it has proven time and time again that these games are the standards for their respective racing genre? Forza 6 and Horizon 3 should be beastly. And you don't even have a XB1, so why are you so concern about it?

[dancerOfDeath]

"What makes you think the quality will suffer"

There's no "good reason" to think that, per se, other than as an excuse to try and turn the conversation into a negative one.

The usual suspects will continue to subsist on a steady diet of crow. Forza is king.

[green]

Would it have made a difference if one was called Horizong and the other Forza Motorsport?

[d_g]

it’s completely two different Games from different developers

Forza- Simulation = Turn 10 Studios

Forza horizon- Open World Arcade Game = Playground Games

so no it’s not yearly franchise

Forza 5- 2013
Forza 6- 2015

Forza horizon 2- 2014
Forza horizon 3- most likely 2016

[NeoGamer232]

Forza has been yearly since 2011. Forza Motorsports 4 in 2011. Forza Horizon in 2012, Forza Motorsports 5 in 2013, Forza Horizon 2 in 2014, and Forza Motorsports 6 this year.

Really Horizon and Motorsports are two very different games though. They just brand them Forza for the brand recognition and marketing probably.

[AlphaBlackWolf96]

And after that article where the project CARS dev said DX12 will improve Xbox One by 40%, We know it'll be be bigger and better than any Horizon ever. Maybe, just maybe, and I'm just being wishful, it'll be 1080P and 60FPS.

[SpaceRanger]

...This comment is exactly how rumors and assumptions become fact here on N4G.

[AlphaBlackWolf96]

I said I was being wishful, God

[TheCommentator]

Did they ever say that the 40% was XB1? Last I'd read, there was still confusion if that was a PC or XB1 related figure.

I'm a DX12 "optomist", but I'd like to see where you got that info from. Can you provide a link?

[AlphaBlackWolf96]

I think it was clarified he was talking about X1, yes. In the comments someone posted that he later made a post clarifying that he was specifically talking about X1 and wasn't exaggerating. So far from two articles I've read that specifically state percentages, it's 330%+ improvements for PC and 40% for X1. That's just 12% of the 330% PC gets, but still a lot.

[TheCommentator]

I didn't realize the article was a bit further down in today's news, but it seems legit to me. Just think, if a patch gets 30% plus, just imagine a true DX12 engine will gain! I can't wait for E3!!!

[Toiletsteak]

Well the game will be out by the end of next year so they better start working on it.

[TXIDarkAvenger]

Makes sense. Forza 6 is coming this year and most likely Horizon 3 will come out in 2016.

[uth11]

of course it is! Unless they don't plan to continue the series.

[corroios]

Lol, By the end of this generation you will be playing Forza 10 and Forza horizon 5.

[Eterna1Ice]

I doubt that this generation is going to last till 2023.

[SpaceRanger]

Another one next year??
So Forza and Halo every holiday. Doesn't that get old fast?

[RiseofScorpio]

I've seen your history, your not gonna play them anyways but you choose to troll the comments. That 86 on metacritic says otherwise.

[SpaceRanger]

You may know my history, but you do not know my future(:

On a less philosophical note... I play games, not metecritic scores. But since metacritic matter to you so much, did you know that the Xbox one has no games (console exclusive) with a metacritic at 90 or above?

[christocolus]

@waluigi

Sometimes you just got to let the trolls play. The trick is not to feed them, also you need to avoid eye contact. They are wild so you got to be extra careful when trying to interact with them but they usually move on once they've left their mark in one article.

[gangsta_red]

Well considering there are other games along with those two every holiday. Not really.

[IVanSpinal]

Forza: Rallisport 3

[ScorpiusX]

Forza horizon 3 with some of them Japanese highways made famous in car movies . That would be a great locale.

[iTechHeads]

Well duh. It's a yearly franchise. Horizon 2 last year. Forza 6 this year. Horizon 3 next year.

[iamnsuperman]

Of course. The forza brand is a yearly franchise

[WizzroSupreme]

Well, no doubt. They've gotta finish the trilogy, after all.

[supraking951]

Boring even for Xbox owners. Horizon 2 didn't even place in Top 10 in NPD figures on September and October 2014. Xbox over saturated the Sim racer and nobody cares now . Yearly racers with no huge updates like CoD And Assassins Creed. congrats MS

[lastking95]

You obviously never played FM5 or FH2. FH2 is the best racer I've played since the ps2 days if not ever. Dang people be jelly over them xbox exclusives lol, can't blame em.

[u4one]

i just assume franchise sequels go into development or are already in development at the time of launch of the current version. i mean games do usually take years to make.

[Ko_Uraki]

Best racing game ever played

[gangsta_red]

Forza Horizon is good and all but I would love to see these guys make something else using their engine for car racers. Something like a Full Auto game!

Remember Full Auto from Sega?

Imagine these guys making the types of racers they do but adding a serious battle type of element to it. Open world, serious high octane Mario Kart like action with real type cars.

Or how about Planes, a jet fighter sim like Ace Combat or something....?

[SonyOnly4]

LOL Do I get spartan cookies to go with my Xbox Milk?

[NeoGamer232]

What about Project Gotham Racing? Maybe that will be their next game.

[chuckyj1]

With Forza Horizon taking the "open world" arcade approach and Forza their realistic driving simulation I wouldn't think MS would reboot another racing game...

I'm sure a lot of people would like the return Project Gotham Racing. I just don't think MS would have a 3 racing game rotation in their line up.

[urwifeminder]

When FH3 releases they should make the 2nd game come out on pc I would double dip.

[chuckyj1]

With Microsoft rotating between Forza and Forza Horizon series of course they've started it. Forza 6 should be out this holiday season and Forza Horizon 3 will more than likely be out next Holiday Season probably running the new Forza 6 engine designed with DX12 in mind.

FH3 will probably get revealed next E3 with an Oct-Nov release date... That's my guess though...

[TheOnlyMastrx]

Since NFS Underground and Midnight Club games, even though its not really the same, Forza Horizon games have been the only racing games I have enjoyed playing.

If they are working on this, I hope they make the achievements a little quicker to obtain, I play many games and to play Forza Horizon 2 long enough to get all the achievements would eat up all my play time for other games.