Forza Founder Dan Greenawalt Leaves Microsoft as Turn 10 Merges With Playground Games
Dan Greenawalt, who spent 27 years at Turn 10 and shaped Forza, is retiring from Microsoft as the studio folds into Playground Games.
Dan Greenawalt, the longtime face of Forza, is leaving Microsoft. His exit comes as Turn 10 Studios is folded into Playground Games, the studio behind Forza Horizon.
What the memo says
The departure was first reported by The Verge, which cited an internal memo from Playground Games studio head Trevor Williams. According to the quotes carried by Eurogamer and Pure Xbox, the memo says Greenawalt "has decided that this is the right time for him to retire from Microsoft."
Williams also praised Greenawalt's career. He pointed to Project Gotham Racing on the original Xbox in 2001, leading the creation of Forza, founding Turn 10 Studios and his many E3 stage appearances. Williams said Greenawalt often arrived "with a supercar in tow." He thanked him for his "leadership, his support, and his partnership" on behalf of both teams.
The merger and the studios
Eurogamer says the merger is part of Xbox's wider restructuring, which it describes as resulting in 3,200 layoffs and four studio closures earlier this year. Pure Xbox reports that Turn 10 is now officially Playground Games Redmond.
Under the new setup, the former Turn 10 team is helping develop Forza Horizon and Fable, according to Pure Xbox. Eurogamer likewise says the combined developers will collaborate on both franchises.
What about Forza Motorsport?
Neither source reports an announcement about a new Forza Motorsport game. The most recent entry both mention is the 2023 reboot. Eurogamer's review called it "a generous and lavish racer, with thrilling driving, that wants you for the long haul."
Pure Xbox offered its own view that the 2023 reboot is "looking like the last" of the track racers as focus shifts to Playground's portfolio. That is the outlet's reading, not a statement from Microsoft or the studio. The outlet also said it is still hoping another Motorsport arrives one day.
What happens next
Microsoft has not, in these reports, said what Playground Games Redmond will release beyond work on Forza Horizon and Fable. Fans who want a new Motorsport game will need to wait for an official announcement. Until then, the only confirmed Forza work in the sources is on the Horizon side.
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Quick answers
Who is Dan Greenawalt?
He is a founder and vice president of Turn 10 Games who led the creation of Forza. He also shipped Project Gotham Racing in 2001, according to the memo quoted by both outlets.
Is Forza Motorsport cancelled?
The sources do not say so. No new Motorsport game has been announced, and Pure Xbox's view that the 2023 reboot may be the last is its own opinion.
Who announced Greenawalt's departure?
It came through an internal memo from Playground Games studio head Trevor Williams, reported by The Verge and relayed by Eurogamer and Pure Xbox.
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