Microsoft has officially confirmed that playing *Forza Horizon 5* on the PlayStation 5 will require a Microsoft account. This requirement was detailed in a FAQ section on the Forza support website, stating, “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 policy for other Xbox games released on Sony's platform, including titles like Minecraft, Grounded, and Sea of Thieves.
This announcement has sparked some controversy within the gaming community. The organization Does it play?, which focuses on ensuring game and hardware accessibility, expressed concern on Twitter, stating that this requirement "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 decides to discontinue the account linking process in the future without providing an alternative way to play. Additionally, there are fears that players might lose access to the game if they lose access to their Microsoft account. These concerns are heightened by Microsoft's decision to release *Forza Horizon 5* on PS5 exclusively as a digital download, with no physical disc version planned.
The requirement for a Microsoft account has drawn comparisons to Sony's recent decision regarding *Helldivers 2*, where a similar PSN account linking was initially mandated for PC players but was later reversed due to significant backlash. In contrast, Sony adjusted its policy in January, removing the need for a PSN account link for some of its PC games, though offering incentives for those who chose to link their accounts.
Among PS5 gamers, reactions to the Microsoft account requirement for *Forza Horizon 5* have been mixed. Many are curious about whether the game supports cross-progression, given the mandatory account linkage. Unfortunately, the FAQ clarifies that save files from Xbox or PC will not transfer to the PS5 version. Microsoft noted that this limitation is consistent across other platforms, such as between Xbox and Steam, where game files remain separate and unsynchronized.
While user-generated content (UGC) can be shared across platforms and downloaded for play, editing is restricted to the original creation profile. However, some online statistics, like leaderboard scores, will synchronize if players use the same Microsoft account across different platforms.
*Forza Horizon 5* represents Microsoft's continued effort to expand its game offerings to rival consoles as part of a broader multiplatform strategy. Gamers can anticipate more Xbox titles making their way to other platforms in the coming months.
