Forza Horizon 5 on PlayStation 5 will require players to have a Microsoft account in addition to a PSN account, as confirmed by the game's support FAQ. The process of linking these accounts starts the first time you boot up Forza Horizon 5 on your PS5. This requirement aligns with the policies seen in other Xbox games like Minecraft, Grounded, and Sea of Thieves that have been released on Sony’s console.
This decision has sparked some controversy, particularly from groups focused on game preservation. The organization Does it play? expressed concerns on social media, suggesting that the necessity of a Microsoft account could jeopardize the long-term playability of Forza Horizon 5 on PS5. The worry is that if Microsoft ever stops supporting account linking without updating the game, players could be left unable to play even if they own the game. Additionally, players risk losing access to the game if they lose their Microsoft account. These concerns are heightened by the fact that Forza Horizon 5 will be released digitally on PS5 without a physical disc option.
The reaction among the PS5 community has been mixed, with many players curious about whether Forza Horizon 5 will feature cross-progression across platforms. However, the FAQ clarifies that save files from Xbox or PC will not transfer to the PS5 version. Microsoft noted that this is consistent with the behavior between the Xbox and Steam versions, where game files remain separate and are not synchronized.
While user-generated content (UGC) can be shared across platforms, it can only be edited on the original profile it was created on. Some online statistics, such as leaderboard scores, will synchronize if you use the same Microsoft account across different platforms, according to the company.
Forza Horizon 5 marks another step in Microsoft's strategy to bring its Xbox titles to rival consoles, a trend that is expected to continue in the coming months.
