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

Microsoft has officially confirmed that playing *Forza Horizon 5* on PlayStation 5 requires not just a PSN account, but also a linked Microsoft account. This was detailed in a FAQ 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 aligns with the approach taken for other Xbox titles on Sony's platform, such as *Minecraft*, *Grounded*, and *Sea of Thieves*.

This policy has sparked some controversy, particularly from groups like Does it play?, an organization focused on ensuring the ongoing accessibility of games and hardware. They tweeted about the news, suggesting that it could jeopardize the preservation of the PS5 version of *Forza Horizon 5*. Their concern centers around the potential for the game to become unplayable if Microsoft were to discontinue the account linking process in the future without updating the game. There's also worry that players might lose access to the game if they can't access their Microsoft account. This concern is heightened by the fact that *Forza Horizon 5* on PS5 will be available only digitally, with no physical disc release planned.

In a similar vein, Sony faced backlash when it initially required PC players of *Helldivers 2* to link a PSN account, a decision that was later reversed due to public outcry. In January, Sony announced that players would no longer need to link a PSN account for some of its PC games, though they would still receive bonuses for doing so.

The response to the Microsoft account requirement for *Forza Horizon 5* among the PS5 community has been varied. Many are curious about whether the game offers cross-progression, given the mandatory Microsoft account link. Unfortunately, according to the FAQ, *Forza Horizon 5* on PS5 does not support cross-progression with Xbox or PC versions. Microsoft clarified that this is consistent with the behavior between Xbox and Steam versions, where save files are not synchronized across platforms.

However, players can upload user-generated content (UGC) on one platform and download it to play on another. Editing this content, though, is only possible on the platform where it was originally created. Some online statistics, like leaderboard scores, are synchronized if players log in with the same Microsoft account across different platforms.

*Forza Horizon 5* marks another step in Microsoft's strategy to expand its games to rival consoles, reflecting their broader multiplatform push. Gamers can anticipate more Xbox titles making their way to other platforms in the coming months.