Forza Horizon 4 Drifts Into The Sunset With December Delisting

We look at what this means for Horizon 4 fans and explain how you can continue drifting through the British countryside for the foreseeable future.

Microsoft recently announced that Forza Horizon 4 will be delisted from digital storefronts in December 2024. That means no more purchases from the Xbox Store, Microsoft Store, or Steam, and it’s also leaving Game Pass.

But don’t panic – if you own the game, you can still play it. If you don’t, there’s still time to get it.

Attention Forza Horizon 4 players!

We have an important announcement regarding how FH4’s Festival Playlist will work after Series 77 (from July 25 until August 22) and its availability in digital stores after December 15.

Please, read the complete update here:… pic.twitter.com/sFrZU5sjOq

— Forza Horizon (@ForzaHorizon) June 25, 2024

Disappointment For Drifting Fans

Forza Horizon 4’s British landscapes offer the perfect playground for virtual tire-shredding adventures. Many drifting fans prefer it over Horizon 5, thanks to its tight, challenging country roads that demand the ultimate precision and control. This also often makes it a winner for gamers who prefer grip over tail-out action.

If you’ve not played for a while, here’s a throwback from CToretto as a reminder of FH4’s B-road drifting vibes:

In contrast, while Forza Horizon 5’s Mexico offers stunning scenery and varied terrain, drifters often find the wider Mexican roads and open spaces less engaging and challenging.

Does This Mean Horizon 4 Will Be Deleted After December?

No, Horizon 4 won’t be deleted. If you own it, you can still play the game, including its online features, after the delisting. That means your favorite drift zones and tandem runs with friends in virtual Britain are safe for now.

However, there are a few things to note:

• DLC packs were delisted on June 25, 2024
• The last Festival Playlist runs from July 25 to August 22, 2024
• Daily and weekly challenges will remain available

How About Game Pass Players?

If you’ve got FH4 via Xbox Game Pass and have already bought DLC content, you qualify for a token to download the full game and continue playing after the delisting date. That game code will be sent to qualifying players with a fully paid Xbox Game Pass subscription, which must be redeemed by June 25th, 2026.

What If I Have A Physical Copy?

If you have a disc copy, it’ll remain fully playable after the December 15 delisting, retaining all offline and online features.

However, like the digital version, no new DLC can be purchased after June 25, 2024, and the final Festival Playlist ends on August 22, 2024. The Backstage Pass system allows you to access daily and weekly challenges, Forzathon Points, and previously exclusive cars.

It’s Not Too Late To Buy Forza Horizon 4

If you haven’t picked up the game yet but are considering doing so, we recommend keeping your eyes peeled for some sweet deals before the delisting.

At the time of publication, all game versions are available on the Microsoft Store with a huge 80% discount. That means you can get your hands on the Standard Edition for just $11.99, $15.99 for Deluxe, and $19.99 for Ultimate.

However, it’s currently at full price on the Steam Store: $59.99 for the Standard Edition, $79.99 for the Deluxe, and $99.99 for the Ultimate.

You could also consider looking for a used disc version of the game on your favorite auction sites, as these are likely much cheaper if you want to play it right away.

Why Is FH4 Getting Delisted?

Sadly, it’s common practice in racing games. FH4 has managed to last longer than its predecessors, but its six-year run is coming to an end. The official reason, as stated on the official website, is “Due to licensing and agreements with our partners.” Here’s what that likely means:

Car Licenses

FH4 features an impressive roster of over 750 cars. Each vehicle requires a license agreement with the manufacturer. These agreements are typically time-limited, often lasting around 4-6 years. When they expire, Playground Games and Microsoft lose the legal right to continue selling the game with those car models included.

Music Licenses

Like car licenses, music licenses for in-game songs are also typically time-limited, adding further complications.

It’s a real bummer that licensing issues force awesome games like Forza Horizon 4 off the shelves. It isn’t just a Horizon problem, either – it’s becoming increasingly common, especially in the racing genre. Once the licenses run out for the cool cars and bangin’ tunes that we love in the games, it’s sadly easier for publishers to pull the plug than renew the expensive contracts.

What Does The Future Hold For Drifting In Forza Horizon?

Remember that FH4 will be around for the foreseeable future, meaning you’ll still be able to continue drifting your favorite cars, assuming you bag your copy before December.

For those looking to the future, Forza Horizon 5 is the latest offering. However, opinions on its drifting mechanics are mixed. Some find it easier and more forgiving than FH4. Others feel it lacks the same satisfying feel, especially in lower-powered cars. For these reasons, it’s worth trying both games before the FH4 delisting deadline.

Further ahead, there’s a lot of buzz around the possibility of Forza Horizon 6 being set in Japan. While this is still speculation, tackling Japan’s legendary touge mountain roads is a dream for many Horizon drifters. The winding Japanese mountain passes could offer an even more epic drifting experience than the beloved B-roads of FH4’s British countryside.

With that said, we had the same hope before Mexico was announced for FH5, so we hope they don’t let us down again!

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