Dan Greenawalt, one of the most recognisable names in the Forza franchise, is reportedly leaving Microsoft. According to PC Gamer, the Turn 10 studio head has decided to retire after close to three decades with the company. The publication says it obtained an internal memo from Playground Games' Trevor Williams, who confirmed that Greenawalt will stay on temporarily as an adviser while a new leader takes over.
A key figure in racing games
Greenawalt helped shape Forza Motorsport and later guided the series as it grew into one of Xbox's most important racing brands. His departure would mark another significant change for a studio that has already seen its role shift inside Microsoft's gaming division.
Merger and layoffs
PC Gamer's report lands at a turbulent time for the company. Microsoft announced in September that it would merge Turn 10 and Playground Games, the two teams behind Forza, into a single organisation. That same restructure is expected to fold Obsidian Entertainment into Bethesda and hand Halo over to Activision. The plan also includes 268 job losses, according to PC Gamer.
Turn 10 had already been repositioned as a support studio for Playground's Forza Horizon series following the 2023 reboot of Forza Motorsport. Former developer Fred Russell said last year that the Motorsport series had effectively died in an earlier round of cuts, PC Gamer reports.
What players can expect
For now, Greenawalt's advisory role means he is not leaving immediately. Still, the combination of the Turn 10/Playground merger, the layoffs, and the loss of a founding figure raises questions about the long-term future of Forza Motorsport. The Horizon series remains the more active branch of the franchise, and the restructuring suggests Microsoft is concentrating on that direction.
For browser and family gaming readers, the shake-up is a reminder that even big-name racing franchises can change direction quickly. If you are looking for lighter alternatives, our news section keeps track of family-friendly racing and driving games. You can also try a more relaxed racing experience in TinyTownRacing, or take a break from the track with Brick Master and Special Squad vs Zombies.
Source: PC Gamer. Rewritten and edited by Kids Games Play
