Forza Horizon 5, the popular open-world racing game, is making its way to PlayStation 5, but with a notable requirement: players must link a Microsoft account in addition to their PSN account. This was confirmed in a FAQ on the Forza support website, stating that the linking process will start the first time you launch the game on your PS5 console. This approach aligns with other Xbox titles that have been released on Sony's platform, such as Minecraft, Grounded, and Sea of Thieves.
The requirement to link a Microsoft account has stirred some controversy within the gaming community. The organization Does It Play?, which advocates for the accessibility and preservation of games and hardware, expressed concern that this could jeopardize the long-term playability of Forza Horizon 5 on PS5. They worry that if Microsoft were to discontinue the account linking process in the future without an update to bypass it, the game might become unplayable, even for those who have purchased it. Additionally, there's apprehension about what happens if players lose access to their Microsoft account. The digital-only release of Forza Horizon 5 on PS5, with no plans for a physical disc version, further amplifies these concerns.
The situation draws parallels to recent events where Sony required PC players of Helldivers 2 to link a PSN account, a policy that was reversed due to online backlash. In contrast, Sony has made some PC games playable without a PSN account, though they offer bonuses for those who choose to link one.
The PS5 community's response to the Microsoft account requirement for Forza Horizon 5 has been mixed. Many are curious about cross-progression capabilities, but the FAQ clarifies that save files from Xbox or PC will not carry over to the PS5 version. Microsoft noted that this is consistent with the separation between Xbox and Steam versions, where game files are not synchronized. However, user-generated content (UGC) can be published on one platform and downloaded on another, though editing is only possible on the original creation platform. Some online statistics, like leaderboard scores, are synchronized across platforms if the same Microsoft account is used.
Forza Horizon 5's arrival on PS5 is part of Microsoft's broader strategy to expand its game offerings across multiple platforms. This move signals more Xbox titles coming to rival consoles in the near future.
