Microsoft has officially confirmed that playing *Forza Horizon 5* on the PlayStation 5 requires not only a PSN account but also a linked Microsoft account. This requirement was detailed in a FAQ section on the Forza support website, which states, "Yes, in addition to a PSN account you’ll need to link to a Microsoft account in order to play Forza Horizon 5 on PS5. This process begins the first time you start up the game on your console." This policy aligns with the approach taken for other Xbox titles released on Sony's platform, such as *Minecraft*, *Grounded*, and *Sea of Thieves*.
However, this decision has sparked controversy among some gamers. The organization *Does it play?*, which advocates for the accessibility and preservation of games and hardware, expressed concerns via a tweet, stating that this requirement "basically kills preservation for the PS5 version of Forza Horizon 5." This statement reflects a broader worry that should Microsoft discontinue the account linking process in the future without making necessary updates, the game could become unplayable, even for those who have purchased it. There are also concerns about the game's accessibility if a player loses access to their Microsoft account. These concerns are heightened by the fact that *Forza Horizon 5* will be available exclusively as a digital release on the PS5, with no physical disc version planned.
The reaction within the PS5 community has been mixed, with many players curious about whether the game supports cross-progression due to the mandatory Microsoft account link. Unfortunately, the FAQ clarifies that *Forza Horizon 5* on PS5 does not support save file transfers from Xbox or PC, mirroring the separation of game files between Xbox and Steam versions. However, users can share user-generated content (UGC) across platforms, though editing this content requires returning to the original platform on which it was created. Some online features, such as leaderboard scores, are synchronized if players log in with the same Microsoft account.
*Forza Horizon 5* marks another step in Microsoft's strategy to expand its gaming titles across rival consoles, a trend that is expected to continue in the coming months.
