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

Microsoft has officially announced that playing *Forza Horizon 5* on the PlayStation 5 requires not only a PSN account but also a linked Microsoft account. This requirement was detailed in a FAQ 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 policy aligns with other Xbox titles released on Sony's platform, such as *Minecraft*, *Grounded*, and *Sea of Thieves*.

The decision has sparked some controversy within the gaming community. The organization "Does it play?", dedicated to ensuring the accessibility of games and hardware, expressed concerns about the long-term preservation of the PS5 version of *Forza Horizon 5*. They argue that if Microsoft were to discontinue the account linking process in the future without making the game playable without a Microsoft account, it could render the game unplayable even for those who have purchased it. Additionally, there are worries about the game's playability if players lose access to their Microsoft accounts. These concerns are heightened by the fact that *Forza Horizon 5* will be released exclusively in digital format on PS5, with no physical disc version planned.

This situation echoes a recent controversy with Sony's requirement for PC players of *Helldivers 2* to link a PSN account, which was later reversed due to significant backlash. In a contrasting move, Sony announced in January that linking a PSN account would not be mandatory for some of its PC games, though they offered incentives for those who chose to do so.

The response within the PS5 community to the Microsoft account requirement for *Forza Horizon 5* has been mixed. Many players are curious about the potential for cross-progression, given the mandatory Microsoft account link. However, the FAQ clarifies that *Forza Horizon 5* on PS5 does not support cross-progression; save files from Xbox or PC will not carry over. Microsoft notes that this is consistent with the behavior between the Xbox and Steam versions of the game, where game files remain separate and unsynchronized.

While user-generated content (UGC) can be published on one platform and downloaded on another, editing such content is only possible on the original creation platform and profile. Some online features, such as leaderboard scores, do synchronize across platforms when using the same Microsoft account.

*Forza Horizon 5* marks another step in Microsoft’s strategy to expand its multiplatform presence, with more titles expected to follow on rival consoles in the coming months.