Forza Horizon 5 on PS5: Must Link Microsoft Account, Sparks Preservation Worries

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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.

It’s been verified that the next version of Forza Horizon 5 on PlayStation 5 will necessitate a Microsoft account. Although this requirement wasn’t entirely surprising, it has sparked preservation worries about Forza Horizon 5 among some PlayStation gamers in the long term.

Without a doubt, the much-awaited cross-platform Xbox launch that has everyone talking is Forza Horizon 5, set to debut on PlayStation 5 on April 29th. This highly-praised open-world racing game will feature full crossplay compatibility among PS5, Xbox, and PC, along with enhanced visuals for PS5 Pro users and numerous pre-order incentives, such as four-day early access for Premium Edition buyers. As a multiplayer game from Microsoft, Forza Horizon 5‘s PlayStation 5 version will include a potentially debatable prerequisite.

According to a FAQ on the official Forza Support site, PlayStation 5 users are required to connect a Microsoft account prior to starting Forza Horizon 5. When launching Forza Horizon 5 on PS5, players will be asked to sign in with their Microsoft account. This action then links their Microsoft account to their PlayStation Network account. Notably, even if a player has utilized their Microsoft account for multiplayer Xbox games such as Sea of Thieves in the past, they’ll still need to go through this process specifically for Forza Horizon 5.

Forza Horizon 5 PS5 Microsoft Account Requirement May Spell Bad News for Future Preservation

As a devoted fan of Forza Horizon 5, I’ve taken note of some worrying details about its playability on PS5. The FAQ mentions that while it’s possible to unlink accounts, players can only re-link the specific Microsoft account they first used for Forza Horizon 5 on PS5. This has sparked concerns in the PlayStation community about game preservation, as there’s a fear that if the linking system ever goes offline, the game might become inaccessible on PS5. To add fuel to these fears, Microsoft has chosen not to release a physical version of Forza Horizon 5 for PS5, making digital distribution the only way to access the game, with no backup options available.

As a fan, I understand that Microsoft has consistently advocated for mandatory account linking, emphasizing its importance for cross-platform functionality. This approach, if communicated clearly from the outset, seems reasonable to many. The controversy surrounding Sony’s abrupt PSN account requirement for Helldivers 2 in 2024 serves as a reminder of this, as it led to a reversal of the policy by the gaming giant.

While some eager PS5 gamers anticipating Forza Horizon 5 might not be thrilled about the mandatory Microsoft account login, at least they’ve been informed well ahead of time, which gives them the chance to prepare and make an informed decision.

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2025-03-08 22:51