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

Forza Horizon 5 on PlayStation 5 requires players to have a Microsoft account in addition to a PSN account, as confirmed by a FAQ on the Forza support website. The process to link these accounts is initiated the first time you start the game on your PS5. This requirement aligns with other Xbox titles released on Sony's platform, such as Minecraft, Grounded, and Sea of Thieves.

The necessity of a Microsoft account has sparked some controversy. The group "Does it play?"—which focuses on ensuring the accessibility and preservation of games—expressed concerns that this could jeopardize the long-term playability of Forza Horizon 5 on PS5. They highlighted the risk that the game might become unplayable if Microsoft discontinues its account linking service or if a player loses access to their Microsoft account. This concern is heightened by the fact that Forza Horizon 5 on PS5 will be available only digitally, without a physical disc version.

The reaction from the PS5 community has been mixed, with many players curious about whether Forza Horizon 5 supports cross-progression given the mandatory Microsoft account link. However, the FAQ clarifies that the PS5 version does not support save file carryover from Xbox or PC, mirroring the behavior 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 on another, editing is only possible on the original platform and profile. Some online statistics, like leaderboard scores, are synchronized across platforms if players log in with the same Microsoft account.

Forza Horizon 5 represents the latest in Microsoft's strategy to expand its games to rival consoles. This multiplatform approach is expected to continue with more titles in the coming months.