Microsoft has officially confirmed that playing Forza Horizon 5 on the PlayStation 5 requires not just a PSN account, but also a linked Microsoft account. This requirement is highlighted in an FAQ on the Forza support website, stating: "Yes, in addition to a PSN account you’ll need to link to a Microsoft account in order to play Forza Horizon 5 on PS5. This process begins the first time you start up the game on your console."
This move aligns with Microsoft's strategy for other Xbox titles released on Sony's platform, such as Minecraft, Grounded, and Sea of Thieves. However, this decision has sparked some controversy. The advocacy group Does it play? expressed concerns about the future preservation of the PS5 version of Forza Horizon 5, tweeting that the requirement "basically kills preservation for the PS5 version of Forza Horizon 5." This stems from fears that the game could become unplayable if Microsoft discontinues the account linking process or if players lose access to their Microsoft accounts. The digital-only release of Forza Horizon 5 on PS5, without a physical disc version, further fuels these concerns.
The recent backlash against Sony's similar policy for Helldivers 2 on PC, which was later reversed, highlights the sensitivity of such account linking requirements. In contrast, Sony had previously announced that linking a PSN account would no longer be required for some of its PC games, though it offered incentives for those who did.
Within the PS5 community, reactions to the Microsoft account requirement for Forza Horizon 5 have been mixed. Many players are curious about whether the game supports cross-progression, given the mandatory Microsoft account link. However, the FAQ clarifies that Forza Horizon 5 on PS5 does not support save file transfer from Xbox or PC. This is consistent with the game's behavior between Xbox and Steam versions, where save files remain separate and unsynchronized.
While user-generated content (UGC) can be published on one platform and downloaded on another, it can only be edited on the original platform where it was created. Some online statistics, like leaderboard scores, are synchronized across platforms when logged in with the same Microsoft account.
Forza Horizon 5 marks another step in Microsoft's multiplatform strategy, bringing Xbox titles to rival consoles. Expect more such releases in the future as Microsoft continues its push into broader gaming ecosystems.
