Let me tell you, sitting here in 2026 and looking back at the whole Game Awards controversy from late 2024 still feels personal. As a dedicated Forza Horizon 5 player since launch day, watching the official Forza account throw shade at The Game Awards for snubbing us from the Best Ongoing Game category was like watching your favorite underdog athlete get left off the All-Star roster despite having MVP stats. The post was pure, unadulterated gamer pride—a collage showcasing years of updates with the caption, "Forza fans know the real best ongoing game this year." And you know what? They're absolutely right.
Why Forza Horizon 5 Had Every Right to Be Salty
Let's break down the 2024 Best Ongoing Game nominees that had everyone talking:
| Nominee | Reason for Nomination |
|---|---|
| Destiny 2 | Legacy MMO-lite with constant seasonal updates |
| Diablo 4 | New live-service titan with major post-launch support |
| Final Fantasy XIV | The MMO juggernaut that never stops growing |
| Fortnite | The cultural phenomenon that redefines "ongoing" |
| Helldivers 2 | The surprise breakout co-op hit of the year |
Now, I'm not saying these games aren't deserving. Each is a powerhouse in its own right. But omitting Forza Horizon 5 from this list was like leaving a perfectly tuned, V12 supercar out of a race because "it's been winning too long." The game's post-launch support has been nothing short of phenomenal—more consistent content drops than any other title in the entire Forza franchise's history!
The Content Pipeline: More Than Just Racing
What makes this snub particularly baffling is the sheer creativity and volume of what Playground Games has delivered. This isn't just new cars and tracks (though there are plenty of those). We're talking about transformative game modes that shouldn't work in a racing game... but somehow do.
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September 2024's "Hide and Seek" Mode: One Hider versus five Seekers in the open world of Mexico. It sounds like a concept drawn on a napkin after too much caffeine, but it became an instant classic. Turning a racing game into a massive, vehicular game of tag was a stroke of genius.
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The "Back to the 90s" Update: A nostalgia trip that wasn't just cosmetic. It captured the feeling of an era through music, car culture, and events that had veteran players grinning like teenagers again.
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The Halo Crossover: Master Chief's Warthog tearing through the jungle isn't just a cool skin; it's a statement. Forza Horizon 5 treats its world like a living playground where anything is possible.
This continuous innovation is why, three years post-launch, the game still boasts a staggering 40 million players worldwide (as reported by Statista in 2024, and that number has only grown since). Supporting a game that long isn't just about adding content; it's about repeatedly convincing players to come back. Forza Horizon 5 does this not with grinding mechanics, but with pure, undiluted joy. Its updates are less like scheduled maintenance and more like a friend who shows up at your door every few months with a completely new, amazing board game you've never heard of.
The Real Reason Behind the Snub?
Looking at the nominee list, a pattern emerges. Fortnite and Final Fantasy XIV are permanent fixtures—the establishment. The 2024 show seemed intent on spotlighting new live-service successes: Diablo 4 and the breakout sensation Helldivers 2. In that context, a three-year-old racing game, no matter how well-supported, might have been seen as "old news" by the nominating committee. There's an unspoken bias in these awards toward what's currently generating the most buzz, not necessarily what has demonstrated the most sustained excellence.
But here's the thing about Forza Horizon 5's support: it's a masterclass in player respect. Every update feels crafted, not churned out. The game's world has evolved from a beautiful racing playground into a genuine celebration of automotive and gaming culture. It's the gaming equivalent of a classic vinyl record that a dedicated audiophile keeps on a special shelf—it might not always be on the radio, but its quality is timeless, and its fanbase is fiercely loyal.
The Legacy Beyond the Awards
The sting of the snub was real for the community. Yet, in the years since, that post from the Forza account hasn't aged as salt; it's aged as a badge of honor. While award shows come and go, the game's legacy is written in its active servers and the smiles of its players. By 2026, we've seen even more incredible updates, proving that the team's commitment was never about trophies. It was about the drive (pun absolutely intended).
So, do I think Forza Horizon 5 deserved that 2024 Best Ongoing Game nomination? Absolutely. Its post-launch journey has been more consistent and creatively daring than half the list. But in a way, the snub made the community's appreciation louder. We didn't need a panel to tell us what we already knew: that logging into Horizon Mexico still feels like coming home, and that the party, against all industry odds, is still going strong. That's a win no award can truly capture.