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

Forza Horizon 5's arrival on the PlayStation 5 comes with a notable requirement: players must have a Microsoft account in addition to their PSN account. This stipulation is clearly outlined in the Forza support website's FAQ: "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 the strategy seen in other Xbox titles released on Sony’s platform, such as Minecraft, Grounded, and Sea of Thieves. Yet, the requirement has sparked some controversy. The organization Does it play?, which focuses on ensuring the accessibility of games and hardware, expressed concerns via Twitter, stating that this move "basically kills preservation for the PS5 version of Forza Horizon 5." The worry stems from the possibility that the game could become unplayable if Microsoft discontinues the account linking process without making the game accessible without a Microsoft account. Additionally, there are fears that players might lose access to their game if they can no longer access their Microsoft account. These concerns are heightened by the fact that Forza Horizon 5 will be available digitally on PS5, with no plans for a physical disc release.

The reaction among the PS5 community to the Microsoft account requirement has been varied, with many players questioning whether the game supports cross-progression. According to the FAQ, Forza Horizon 5 on PS5 does not support cross-progression; save files from Xbox or PC versions will not carry over. Microsoft clarified that this is consistent with the behavior seen between the Xbox and Steam versions, 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 limited to the original creation profile. Some online statistics, such as leaderboard scores, do synchronize across platforms if players log in with the same Microsoft account.

Forza Horizon 5 marks another step in Microsoft's strategy to bring its Xbox titles to rival consoles, a trend expected to continue in the coming months.