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

Microsoft has confirmed that playing *Forza Horizon 5* on the PlayStation 5 requires not just a PSN account, but also a linked Microsoft account. This information was shared in a FAQ on the Forza support website, which clearly 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 the policies of other Xbox games released on Sony’s platform, such as *Minecraft*, *Grounded*, and *Sea of Thieves*.

This policy has sparked some controversy. The organization *Does it play?*, which advocates for the accessibility and preservation of games and hardware, expressed concern on Twitter, stating that the news “basically kills preservation for the PS5 version of Forza Horizon 5.” Their statement highlights a worry that if Microsoft ever discontinues the account linking process without updating the game, *Forza Horizon 5* could become unplayable for PS5 users. Additionally, there's the risk that the game may become inaccessible if a player loses access to their Microsoft account. The situation is compounded by Microsoft's decision to release *Forza Horizon 5* exclusively as a digital download on PS5, with no physical disc version planned.

The recent backlash against Sony's attempt to enforce PSN account linking for PC players of *Helldivers 2* led to a policy reversal. In January, Sony announced that players would no longer need to link a PSN account to play certain PC games, though they offered incentives for those who did. The reaction among the PS5 community to the *Forza Horizon 5* Microsoft account requirement has been mixed, with many curious about the possibility of cross-progression. However, the FAQ clarifies that *Forza Horizon 5* on PS5 does not support save file transfers from Xbox or PC. Microsoft also noted that this is consistent with the behavior between Xbox and Steam versions, where game files are separate and not synchronized.

While you can publish user-generated content (UGC) on one platform and download it to play on another, editing is only possible on the original creation profile. Some online statistics, like leaderboard scores, are synchronized if you use the same Microsoft account across platforms, Microsoft added.

*Forza Horizon 5* marks another step in Microsoft's strategy to expand its games to rival consoles, signaling more multiplatform releases in the near future.