Xbox Unifies Forza Development Teams into One Studio

Microsoft is consolidating its Forza development teams into a single studio as part of a significant overhaul of Xbox. Playground Games, known for Forza Horizon, and Turn 10 Studios, the minds behind Forza Motorsport, are merging to concentrate on both the Forza and Fable franchises.

“Playground and Turn 10 will unite as one studio dedicated to the Forza and Fable series,” stated Xbox’s chief content officer in a memo. “These studios have collaborated on technology, creativity, and franchise development for over a decade, and this restructuring will officially integrate their efforts into one team.”

The merger raises important questions about the future of Forza Motorsport and whether Microsoft will continue to develop this franchise or shift its focus entirely to Forza Horizon. Last year, over 70 employees from Turn 10 Studios were laid off, significantly impacting the studio. In recent months, Turn 10 has primarily been maintaining Forza Motorsport, and the remaining staff will now transition to Playground Games to contribute to Forza Horizon and Fable.

These changes at Playground Games and Turn 10 are part of a broader reorganization within Xbox. Activision is set to take over the Halo franchise, alongside Rare, the developers of Sea of Thieves, and World’s Edge, the studio behind Age of Empires.