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

Forza Horizon 5 on PlayStation 5 requires players to use a Microsoft account, as confirmed by an FAQ on the Forza support website. The FAQ states, "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 requirement aligns with other Xbox titles that have been released on Sony's platform, including Minecraft, Grounded, and Sea of Thieves.

This policy has sparked some controversy within the gaming community. The organization Does it play?, dedicated to ensuring game and hardware accessibility, expressed concerns via Twitter, stating that the need for a Microsoft account "basically kills preservation for the PS5 version of Forza Horizon 5." The worry is that the game could become unplayable in the future if Microsoft discontinues the account linking process without updating the game. Additionally, players might face issues if they lose access to their Microsoft account. The situation is exacerbated by Microsoft's decision to release Forza Horizon 5 on PS5 as a digital-only title, with no physical disc version available.

The requirement for a Microsoft account has drawn comparisons to Sony's earlier decision with Arrowhead’s Helldivers 2, where PC players were initially required to link a PSN account. Sony reversed this decision following significant backlash. In contrast, Sony has since announced that some of its PC games no longer require a PSN account, though bonuses are offered for those who choose to link one.

The response from the PS5 community to the Forza Horizon 5 Microsoft account requirement has been varied. Many players are curious about whether the game supports cross-progression. Unfortunately, the FAQ clarifies that Forza Horizon 5 on PS5 does not support save file transfer from Xbox or PC. Microsoft noted that this is consistent with the behavior between the Xbox and Steam versions, where game files are 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 creation profile. Some online statistics, like leaderboard scores, are synchronized if players use the same Microsoft account across platforms.

Forza Horizon 5 marks the latest entry in Microsoft's strategy to expand its games to rival consoles, part of a broader multiplatform push that promises more Xbox titles on competing platforms in the coming months.