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

Microsoft has officially confirmed that to play *Forza Horizon 5* on PlayStation 5, you'll need more than just a PSN account. You'll also need to link a Microsoft account, a detail revealed in their FAQ on the Forza support website. This requirement aligns with other Xbox titles like Minecraft, Grounded, and Sea of Thieves that have made their way to Sony’s console.

This news has sparked some debate within the gaming community. The advocacy group Does it play? expressed concerns about the long-term preservation of the PS5 version of *Forza Horizon 5*. They worry that if Microsoft decides to end the account linking service in the future without updating the game, the PS5 version could become unplayable. Additionally, if a player loses access to their Microsoft account, they might not be able to enjoy the game. These concerns are heightened by the fact that *Forza Horizon 5* will only be available digitally on PS5, with no physical disc version planned.

The requirement to link a Microsoft account has led to questions about cross-progression. Unfortunately, the FAQ clarifies that *Forza Horizon 5* on PS5 does not support transferring save files from Xbox or PC versions. Microsoft noted that this is consistent with the separation of game files between Xbox and Steam versions, where files are not synchronized. However, user-generated content (UGC) can be published on one platform and downloaded on another, though it can only be edited on the original platform it was created on. Some online statistics, like leaderboard scores, are synchronized across platforms when using the same Microsoft account.

The reaction among the PS5 community to this news has been mixed, with many players curious about the implications of the mandatory Microsoft account link. This move by Microsoft is part of a larger strategy to bring Xbox games to rival consoles, with more multiplatform releases expected in the coming months.