Playing Forza Horizon 5 on PlayStation 5 requires a Microsoft account, as confirmed by Microsoft. This is detailed in their Forza support FAQ: "Yes, in addition to a PSN account, you'll need to link a Microsoft account to play Forza Horizon 5 on PS5. This process begins when you first start the game." This aligns with Microsoft's approach for other Xbox games on PlayStation, including Minecraft, Grounded, and Sea of Thieves.
This requirement has sparked some controversy. Concerns have been raised about the long-term preservation of the PS5 version. There are worries that if Microsoft discontinues account linking or if a player loses access to their Microsoft account, the game could become unplayable. This concern is amplified by the fact that Forza Horizon 5 on PS5 will be a digital-only release, without a physical disc option.
This situation echoes a previous controversy surrounding Helldivers 2, where Sony initially required PSN account linking for PC players, a decision later reversed following online backlash. In contrast, Sony subsequently announced that PSN account linking would no longer be mandatory for some of its PC games, although bonus incentives remained for those who linked their accounts.
Reaction to the Forza Horizon 5 Microsoft account requirement has been mixed within the PS5 community. Many players are questioning whether the game offers cross-progression, given the mandatory Microsoft account link. The Forza support FAQ clarifies that Forza Horizon 5 on PS5 does *not* support save file transfers from Xbox or PC. This mirrors the situation between Xbox and Steam versions, where saves are independent and not synchronized. However, user-generated content (UGC) can be published on one platform and downloaded on another, though editing is only possible on the original save profile. Some online statistics, such as leaderboard scores, are synchronized if the same Microsoft account is used.
Forza Horizon 5 represents another step in Microsoft's multi-platform strategy, bringing Xbox games to rival consoles. More such releases are anticipated in the coming months.
