With Forza Horizon 4 on the, well, horizon, it seems like Microsoft has some final plans for an earlier game in the series, Forza Horizon 2. According to the developers, Horizon 2 has "reached its end of life status", meaning that the game, and all of its DLC will be de-listed on September 30th. If you purchase the game before then, you'll still be able to download it and play it, but if you don't own it by the end of next month, then you'll lose your chance. Additionally, those that have Xbox Live will be able to claim it for free with Games With Gold for the month of August.

Source

 

[Mikemk]

So you're saying wait till October, and I can pirate it without moral issues.

 

[Chary]

So you're saying wait till October, and I can pirate it without moral issues.

As if pirates have moral issues

 

[Clapmaster]

What's the point of doing this? If folks want to buy the game and dlc in the future isn't microsoft just losing that money?

 

[jt_1258]

As if pirates have moral issues

Hay now, those of us who do it just to demo games tend to morally feel bad if we hold onto and play a game without buying it.

 

[Chary]

What's the point of doing this? If folks want to buy the game and dlc in the future isn't microsoft just losing that money?

Likely, as this game has tie-ins with both car companies and musicians, Microsoft paid yearly to use their content in the game, and decided the game wasn't pulling in enough revenue anymore to offset the cost of renewing again.

 

[SirNapkin1334]

Wait, they made a second one, and it’s already at EOL? O.o I play the first one sometimes, didn’t know there was more than one...

 

[Deleted User]

well fuck, i should get the dlc before it gets taken down, i've had this game for a while
or they should probably release an update that makes the dlc free or something

Wait, they made a second one, and it’s already at EOL? O.o I play the first one sometimes, didn’t know there was more than one...

there's 5, one's a spin-off of this one

 

[SirNapkin1334]

well fuck, i should get the dlc before it gets taken down, i've had this game for a while
or they should probably release an update that makes the dlc free or something


there's 5, one's a spin-off of this one

5? Wow, they’re making a lot...

 

[Supster131]

It happens every year with Forza, I think. Forza Horizon 1 has been delisted for a while. Forza Motorsport 5 I think was delisted last year, and Forza 6 will apparently be delisted next year.
It's like Chary said, Microsoft pay for the music and cars used in the game for a set amount of years, after the time is up they simply delist the games.

 

[SirNapkin1334]

Does that mean if I own the game after it’s delisted I don’t have to check the cars’ smog?

 

[linkinworm]

I find it odd to delist gmaes like these, forza horizon feels so different game to game as its location based, why keep it on the servers ready for download but not offer people a chance to buy it and still make some money?

 

[Spider_Man]

What's the point of doing this? If folks want to buy the game and dlc in the future isn't microsoft just losing that money?

Not really because it's costing them to host it and if the demand has gone then pull it to save space for new content.

Or you end up paying to increase server disc space to host content barely used.

It's like having an external hdd that's full do you ever delete data to free up space for new files or do you keep it all and keep buying new drives.

 

[gameboy]

this game is free on xbox gold right now which is a total scam. xbox gold is a scam, they never put any good free games on there (or there arent good games on there). My xbox subscription ran out earlier this week and i dont feel the need to renew it for anything upcoming or anything free.

 

[DinohScene]

Horizon 2 to be de-listed!?
Oh my, didn't saw that one coming.

 

[Song of storms]

Can you still download the game if you purchased it before?

 

[InsaneNutter]

Something to be said for having a physical option when it comes to games. You'll still be able to purchase the game indefinitely.

 

[Scarlet]

Can you still download the game if you purchased it before?

If you purchase the game before then, you'll still be able to download it and play it, but if you don't own it by the end of next month, then you'll lose your chance.

Not to be that person replying with a quote but like, the answer is right there in the OP lol.

 

[mightymuffy]

Probably my fave in the series so far (3 is the better game I'll admit) - crying out for a One X patch, and with Horizon 1 getting one of those last year, AFTER being delisted, it still may happen... Like has been said, it's a bit weird delisting the Horizon games as they're so different (Motorsport I can understand) - will be interesting to see if Horizon 3 gets the same treatment in 2 years given how much of a commercial success that's been.

 

[FAST6191]

Not really because it's costing them to host it and if the demand has gone then pull it to save space for new content.

Or you end up paying to increase server disc space to host content barely used.

It's like having an external hdd that's full do you ever delete data to free up space for new files or do you keep it all and keep buying new drives.

I am sure MS' server farms can squeeze in 50 something gigs without being too worried -- looking at https://storageservers.wordpress.com/2013/07/17/facts-and-stats-of-worlds-largest-data-centers/ then in 2013 it would have been a drop in the bucket and the last 5 years has seen capacity increase even still. It is not like you or I trying to host it ourselves. Far more likely as others said that they let themselves take deals for real world cars, locations and whatnot which expire and renewal is more hassle than it is both worth to them.
You also have the self competitor effect -- these games are often noted as being some of the best examples of the gameplay style and likely still play just fine. I am not paying full retail if I can pay similar price for coffee and a pastry and have a nice game instead.