Forza Horizon 5 on PS5 Needs Microsoft Account, Like Other Xbox Games on Sony Consoles

Forza Horizon 5 on PlayStation 5 requires a Microsoft account, the company has confirmed. This information comes directly from an FAQ section posted 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 approach aligns with Microsoft's strategy for other Xbox titles released on Sony's platform, including popular games like Minecraft, Grounded, and Sea of Thieves.

However, this policy has sparked some controversy within the gaming community. The organization Does it play?, dedicated to ensuring the accessibility of games and hardware, expressed concerns on Twitter, stating that this requirement "basically kills preservation for the PS5 version of Forza Horizon 5." The concern stems from the potential that if Microsoft were to discontinue the account linking process in the future without making necessary updates, the game could become unplayable for those who have purchased it. Additionally, there's a risk that players could lose access to the game if they lose their linked Microsoft account. These concerns are heightened by the fact that Forza Horizon 5 will be released digitally on PS5, with no physical disc version planned.

The reaction to this news within the PS5 community has been mixed, with many players questioning whether the game supports cross-progression due to the mandatory Microsoft account linkage. Unfortunately, the FAQ clarifies that Forza Horizon 5 on PS5 does not support cross-platform save files from Xbox or PC. Microsoft has noted that this is consistent with the behavior between the Xbox and Steam versions of the game, where game files remain separate and unsynchronized.

While user-generated content (UGC) can be published on one platform and downloaded to play on another, editing this content is only possible on the original profile where it was created. Some online statistics, such as leaderboard scores, are synchronized across platforms if players log in with the same Microsoft account, according to the company.

Forza Horizon 5 marks another step in Microsoft's broader multiplatform strategy, bringing Xbox games to rival consoles. As part of this initiative, gamers can expect more Xbox titles to be released on other platforms in the coming months.