Playing Forza Horizon 5 on PlayStation 5 requires a Microsoft account, as confirmed by Microsoft. This is detailed in a Forza support FAQ: "Yes, in addition to a PSN account, you'll need to link a Microsoft account to play Forza Horizon 5 on PS5. This process starts when you first launch the game."
This mirrors the account linking requirement for other Xbox games on PlayStation, including Minecraft, Grounded, and Sea of Thieves. However, this policy has sparked controversy, with some expressing concern about game preservation. The worry is that Forza Horizon 5 could become unplayable if Microsoft discontinues account linking or if a player loses access to their linked Microsoft account. This concern is amplified by the game's digital-only release on PS5.
This situation echoes a similar backlash against Sony's requirement for PSN account linking in Helldivers 2 on PC, a policy that was later reversed. While some PS5 players are disappointed, others are curious about cross-progression. The Forza Horizon 5 FAQ clarifies that save files are not carried over between Xbox, PC, and PS5 versions. However, user-generated content (UGC) can be published on one platform and downloaded on another, though editing is limited to the original save profile. Online statistics linked to a Microsoft account will be synchronized across platforms.
Forza Horizon 5's PS5 release is part of Microsoft's broader multi-platform strategy, suggesting more such releases are likely in the future.
