Forza Horizon 5 on PS5 Necessitates a Microsoft Account, Similar to Other Xbox Titles on Sony Consoles

Forza Horizon 5, the popular racing game developed by Playground Games, is now available on PlayStation 5, but there’s a notable requirement for players. To enjoy the game on this platform, players must create and link a Microsoft account, as confirmed by the official Forza support website. This requirement stipulates that, in addition to having a PlayStation Network (PSN) account, a Microsoft account is necessary for gameplay on the PS5. New players will encounter this linking process when they first launch the game.

This policy aligns with other Microsoft titles available on PlayStation, such as Minecraft, Grounded, and Sea of Thieves. However, the linking requirement has sparked some controversy among gamers. A gaming advocacy group, Does it play?, raised concerns on social media, stating that the need for a Microsoft account jeopardizes the preservation of the game’s functionality on the PS5. They emphasized that this could render Forza Horizon 5 unplayable for users who have purchased it if Microsoft ever decides to discontinue this linking process.

Additionally, players are worried that if they lose access to their Microsoft account, either due to forgotten credentials or account issues, they could be locked out of the game entirely. Compounding these concerns is the fact that Forza Horizon 5 will only be released digitally on PS5, with no plans for a physical disc version. This means that players are entirely dependent on Microsoft’s infrastructure for ongoing access to their purchased game.

In the past, similar controversies have arisen involving other games. For instance, when Sony initially required PC players of Helldivers 2 to link their accounts to a PSN, the player backlash prompted the company to reverse its decision. Subsequently, Sony announced they would no longer mandate PSN links for some of their PC games, although bonuses were offered for those that did link their accounts.

The response from the PlayStation community regarding Forza Horizon 5’s Microsoft account linkage has been varied. Many players express confusion about whether cross-progression between platforms is possible. According to the FAQ information, save files from Xbox or PC do not transfer to the PS5 version of the game. Microsoft clarified that this behavior is consistent across platforms, including the Xbox and Steam versions, where game files are siloed and not synchronized.

While players can create user-generated content (UGC) on one platform and download it on another, editing that content is only available when using the original save profile. Some online statistics like leaderboard scores do sync when logging in with the same Microsoft account, allowing for a degree of continuity in competitive play.

Forza Horizon 5’s arrival on the PlayStation 5 is part of a broader strategy by Microsoft to expand their titles across different gaming platforms. This move not only fosters a larger audience but also demonstrates a shift towards multiplatform availability for major games. Players can expect to see more Microsoft games making their way to rival consoles in the foreseeable future.