Summary
- Forza Horizon 5 will require a Microsoft account login on PS5, as confirmed by an official FAQ page.
- Some PS5 users have raised concerns about Forza Horizon 5’s Microsoft account requirement, suggesting that it could pose issues for preservation down the line.
- Microsoft claims that the mandatory account linking is necessary for crossplay functionality, which is part of Forza Horizon 5’s PS5 feature set.
The upcoming PlayStation 5 version of Forza Horizon 5 has been confirmed to require a Microsoft account. While this mandate isn’t entirely unexpected, it has raised long-term preservation concerns about Forza Horizon 5 among some PlayStation users.
Arguably the most-anticipated multiplatform Xbox release so far, Forza Horizon 5 will officially hit PS5 on April 29. The critically-acclaimed open-world racer will offer full crossplay functionality between PS5, Xbox, and PC, as well as substantial visual upgrades for PS5 Pro users and lots of pre-order bonuses, including four-day early access for Premium Edition buyers. Being a multiplayer game from Microsoft, though, Forza Horizon 5‘s PS5 port will come part and parcel with a potentially contentious requirement.
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As per an FAQ on the official Forza Support website, Forza Horizon 5 will require PS5 users to link a Microsoft account before they dive into the open-world racer. Upon booting up Forza Horizon 5 on PS5, players will be prompted to sign in with their Microsoft account, which will then be linked with their PlayStation Network account. Interestingly, even if a player has previously used their Microsoft account for multiplayer Xbox games like Sea of Thieves, they will need to repeat the process specifically for Forza Horizon 5.
Forza Horizon 5 PS5 Microsoft Account Requirement May Spell Bad News for Future Preservation
The FAQ also notes that while unlinking is possible, players can only re-link the specific Microsoft account they initially used for Forza Horizon 5 on PS5, which has set off some alarm bells in the PlayStation community with regard to game preservation. Since Forza Horizon 5 relies on Microsoft’s account services, some PlayStation fans are concerned that if the linking system were ever taken offline, the game could become unplayable on PS5. Adding to these concerns is Microsoft’s decision to forgo a physical release for Forza Horizon 5‘s PS5 version, leaving no alternative method to access the game beyond digital distribution.
Microsoft has defended its position in the past by stating that mandatory account linking is necessary for cross-platform functionality, and many feel that it’s valid if the company is upfront about it from the very beginning. The latter notion was proved by the furor around Sony’s sudden implementation of a PSN account requirement for Helldivers 2 in 2024, which ultimately led to the gaming giant backtracking on the mandate. While some PS5 players looking forward to Forza Horizon 5 may not be happy about the mandatory Microsoft account login, at least they were informed well in advance.
- Released
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November 9, 2021
- ESRB
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E for Everyone
- Publisher(s)
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Xbox Game Studios