Microsoft Restructures Studios and Loses Veteran as Forza Motorsport Future Remains Unclear

Microsoft has merged Turn 10 Studios into Playground Games, and Forza Motorsport co-creator Dan Greenawalt has retired after nearly 27 years with the company, raising questions about the future of the racing series.

According to The Verge editor Tom Warren, Greenawalt helped create Project Gotham Racing for the original Xbox before leading the development of Forza Motorsport and the growth of Turn 10. Playground Games head Trevor Williams informed employees of his departure. Greenawalt will remain as an advisor during a transitional period to assist new chief operating officer Michelle Bastien.

Meanwhile, Microsoft has combined Turn 10 and Playground Games under the Playground Games banner. The studio now operates two offices in Leamington and Redmond. The Turn 10 name, which spent more than 20 years overseeing the Gran Turismo competitor, is effectively disappearing.

At the same time, Forza Horizon has proved more popular than Motorsport due to its open world and car festivals. Microsoft appears intent on focusing its resources on that series.