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Yes, You’ll Need a Microsoft Account to Play Forza Horizon 5 on PS5
March 9, 2025The day we thought we’d never see is finally here: Forza Horizon 5 is coming to PlayStation. After years of being a prized Xbox exclusive, the open-world racing sensation is making its way to PS5 on April 25, 2025. That means PlayStation players will finally get to race through the stunning landscapes of Mexico, drifting through tight corners and smashing through fences like they own the place.
But before you start revving up those engines, there’s one small speed bump—you’ll need a Microsoft account to play it. Yes, even on PlayStation, you’ll have to log into Microsoft’s ecosystem before hitting the road.
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Why Does Forza Horizon 5 Need a Microsoft Account on PS5?
It might seem strange at first—why would a PlayStation game require a Microsoft login? But it all comes down to Xbox Live services and cross-platform integration. Microsoft wants to ensure that all Forza Horizon 5 players—whether on Xbox, PC, or now PlayStation—are connected under the same system.
According to the official Forza website, linking your Microsoft account to your PlayStation Network (PSN) account is a title-by-title requirement and, once linked, permanent. That means the account you use on day one is the one you’re stuck with—no take-backs, no do-overs.
This requirement ensures that features like cross-platform progression, leaderboards, and cloud saves work smoothly across all systems. It’s also a way for Microsoft to keep players connected to their ecosystem, even while they’re gaming on a PlayStation. In short: if you want to race across Mexico on a PS5, Microsoft still wants a seat in the passenger seat.
What Happens If You Don’t Have a Microsoft Account?
If you don’t already have a Microsoft account, don’t worry—you can create one for free before launching the game. It’s a relatively painless process, but let’s be honest, PlayStation fans probably weren’t expecting to sign into an Xbox account when booting up their shiny new copy of Forza.
And while a Microsoft account is mandatory, you won’t need an active PlayStation Plus subscription unless you want to play online multiplayer. If you’re just looking to cruise solo through the game’s massive open-world, you’re good to go without PS Plus. However, for those planning to take their skills online, a PS Plus membership is a must—just as it is for other multiplayer games on Sony’s platform.
Does This Affect Game Preservation?
Some gaming preservation advocates are already raising concerns about this Microsoft account requirement. According to Does It Play, a group dedicated to ensuring long-term access to video games, forcing players to log into an external account to access a game means that the PS5 version of Forza Horizon 5 could become unplayable in the future.
Not that we had high hopes for the future, but this from the official FAQ basically kills preservation for the PS5 version of #ForzaHorizon5. pic.twitter.com/PH3mAli4Ug
— Does it play? (@DoesItPlay1) March 8, 2025
If Microsoft were to shut down its servers or remove support, PlayStation players might lose access to their game entirely. While that’s an extreme scenario, it does highlight the ongoing issue of digital ownership in modern gaming. If you bought a physical copy, you’d expect it to work decades from now—but in this case, there’s no guarantee.
For now, though, if you’re planning to play Forza Horizon 5 on PlayStation, just be prepared to link up with Microsoft’s system before you can burn rubber.
Microsoft’s Multi-Platform Strategy
Forza Horizon 5’s arrival on PS5 isn’t an isolated event—it’s part of Microsoft’s new approach to game publishing. The company has recently embraced a multi-platform strategy, bringing once-exclusive Xbox franchises to PlayStation.
This shift started with games like Sea of Thieves, Hi-Fi Rush, Grounded, and Pentiment, and it’s not stopping there. Titles like Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Doom: The Dark Ages, and The Outer Worlds 2 are also expected to expand beyond Xbox in the future.
It’s clear that Microsoft is no longer treating Xbox as an exclusive club—instead, they’re focused on expanding their ecosystem across different platforms. Whether that’s a brilliant business move or a sign of shifting priorities, one thing’s for sure—Xbox isn’t just an Xbox thing anymore.
For PlayStation fans, this means more access to some of Xbox’s biggest games. But with every new addition, the question remains: Will Microsoft always require a login for its games on PlayStation? If this becomes a standard practice, it might not be the last time PlayStation users find themselves signing into Microsoft’s world before jumping into a game.
While games are fun, it’s highly important to note that there’s more to life than sitting countless hours playing video games – there’s a purpose and more to life; seek out that purpose more often!
