To play Forza Horizon 5 on PlayStation 5, you'll need a Microsoft account, in addition to your PlayStation Network account. This requirement is confirmed on the official Forza support website FAQ. The process of linking your accounts begins when you first launch the game.
This policy aligns with other Xbox games available on PlayStation, such as Minecraft, Grounded, and Sea of Thieves. However, this has sparked debate, with some expressing concern about game preservation. The digital-only release on PS5 fuels worries about future accessibility should Microsoft discontinue account linking or if players lose access to their linked Microsoft account.
This situation draws parallels to the controversy surrounding Helldivers 2 on PC, where a mandatory PSN account link was initially required but later reversed following online backlash. While Sony subsequently removed the requirement for some PC games, offering incentives for account linking, the Forza Horizon 5 situation remains unchanged.
The PS5 community's reaction is varied, with many questioning cross-progression. Unfortunately, Forza Horizon 5 on PS5 does *not* support save file transfers from Xbox or PC versions. This mirrors the lack of cross-save functionality between Xbox and Steam versions. While user-generated content (UGC) can be shared between platforms, editing is only possible on the original save profile. However, some online statistics, such as leaderboard scores, are synchronized using the same Microsoft account.
Forza Horizon 5's release on PlayStation 5 represents another step in Microsoft's multi-platform strategy. Expect more Xbox titles to follow suit in the coming months.
