Forza Horizon 5: PS5 Play Needs Microsoft Account

To play Forza Horizon 5 on PlayStation 5, you'll need a Microsoft account, in addition to your PlayStation Network account. This is confirmed on the official Forza support website FAQ. The game requires linking to a Microsoft account upon initial startup.

This policy aligns with other Xbox games available on PlayStation, such as Minecraft, Grounded, and Sea of Thieves. However, this requirement has sparked debate, with some expressing concerns about game preservation. The digital-only release on PS5, without a physical disc option, amplifies these worries. There are concerns that the game could become unplayable if Microsoft discontinues account linking or if a player loses access to their linked Microsoft account.

This situation draws parallels to the controversy surrounding Helldivers 2 on PC, where a required PSN account link was later reversed following player backlash. While Sony subsequently removed the PSN account linking requirement for some PC games, offering bonuses for those who still linked accounts, the reaction to Forza Horizon 5's Microsoft account requirement on PS5 has been mixed.

Importantly, Forza Horizon 5 on PS5 does *not* offer cross-progression with Xbox or PC versions. Save files are separate and not synchronized across platforms. While you can share user-generated content (UGC) between platforms, editing is only possible on the original save profile. However, some online statistics, like leaderboard scores, will sync if you use the same Microsoft account.

Forza Horizon 5's PS5 release is part of Microsoft's broader multiplatform strategy, suggesting more Xbox games on rival consoles are likely in the future.