Microsoft has officially confirmed that playing Forza Horizon 5 on the PlayStation 5 requires a Microsoft account in addition to a PSN account. This requirement was detailed in a FAQ on the Forza support website, stating that the process of linking accounts initiates the first time the game is launched on the console. This practice aligns with other Xbox games that have made their way to Sony's platform, such as Minecraft, Grounded, and Sea of Thieves.
The decision has sparked some controversy, particularly highlighted by the organization Does it play?, which focuses on ensuring the accessibility and preservation of games and hardware. They expressed concerns on social media, suggesting that the requirement for a Microsoft account could jeopardize the long-term playability of Forza Horizon 5 on PS5. This fear stems from the possibility that Microsoft might discontinue the account linking process in the future, rendering the game unplayable for those without access to a Microsoft account. Additionally, the digital-only release of Forza Horizon 5 on PS5, without a physical disc version, adds to these preservation worries.
The requirement for a Microsoft account echoes a similar, albeit reversed, policy Sony had implemented for PC players of Arrowhead’s Helldivers 2, which was eventually withdrawn due to backlash. Sony later clarified that linking a PSN account would no longer be mandatory for some of its PC titles, though it offered incentives for those who chose to link their accounts.
The response from the PS5 community to the Microsoft account requirement for Forza Horizon 5 has been varied, with many questioning whether the game supports cross-progression. According to the FAQ, Forza Horizon 5 on PS5 does not support the transfer of save files from Xbox or PC, mirroring the separation between Xbox and Steam versions of the game. However, players can publish user-generated content (UGC) on one platform and download it on another, though editing is restricted to the original creation profile. Microsoft also noted that some online statistics, such as leaderboard scores, are synchronized across platforms if the same Microsoft account is used.
Forza Horizon 5 represents Microsoft's ongoing effort to expand its game offerings across multiple platforms, a trend that is expected to continue in the coming months.
