Forza Horizon 5 needs Microsoft account on PS5

Microsoft has confirmed that Forza Horizon 5 on PlayStation 5 requires players to link a Microsoft account. The requirement was detailed in an official FAQ on the Forza support website: "Yes, in addition to a PSN account, you'll need to connect a Microsoft account to play Forza Horizon 5 on PS5. This setup begins when you first launch the game on your console."

This policy mirrors other Xbox titles available on PlayStation systems, including Minecraft, Grounded, and Sea of Thieves.

The announcement has sparked debate among some gaming communities. Preservation advocacy group Does It Play? expressed concern on social media, stating this requirement "essentially compromises long-term accessibility for the PS5 version of Forza Horizon 5."

These concerns stem from potential future scenarios where players might lose access if Microsoft modifies its account system or if users lose access to their Microsoft credentials. The situation is further complicated by the game being available only as a digital download on PS5 with no physical release planned.

Xbox Games Series Tier List

Xbox Games Series Tier List

The policy draws parallels to Sony's recent controversial decision requiring Helldivers 2 PC players to link PSN accounts - a requirement that was later reversed following community backlash. Sony now offers optional PSN linking with bonus incentives for PC players of some titles.

The PlayStation community has responded with mixed reactions to Forza Horizon 5's account requirements, with many questioning whether cross-progression will be supported given the mandatory Microsoft account linking.

According to Microsoft's FAQ, Forza Horizon 5 on PS5 won't support cross-save functionality with Xbox or PC versions. The company noted this matches the current behavior between Xbox and Steam versions where game saves remain separate. However, certain online statistics like leaderboard scores will sync across platforms when using the same Microsoft account.

Forza Horizon 5 represents the newest Xbox title expanding to competing platforms as part of Microsoft's multiplatform strategy, signaling more similar releases may follow in the coming months.