Forza Horizon 5 is coming to the PlayStation 5 (PS5) on April 29th, but players will need to link a Microsoft account with their PlayStation Network (PSN) account to play the game, according to the official FAQ on the game’s website.
Microsoft Account Requirement for Forza Horizon 5 on PS5
When launching Forza Horizon 5 for the first time on PS5, players will be prompted to connect their PSN account with a Microsoft account. If they later choose to disconnect the accounts, they will only be able to reconnect to the originally linked Microsoft account.
This requirement has frustrated players, particularly because cross-save functionality is not supported. That means progress made on the PS5 version will not transfer to the Xbox or Steam versions of the game.
PlayStation Plus Subscription and No Physical Release
The FAQ also confirms that to access Forza Horizon 5’s multiplayer mode, players will need an active PlayStation Plus subscription. Additionally, there are no plans for a physical disc release, meaning the game will be available only as a digital download.
Also Read: GTA 6 Locked in for Fall 2025
Xbox Exclusives Coming to PS5
Forza Horizon 5 is part of a growing list of Xbox exclusives arriving on PlayStation, following the likes of Sea of Thieves, which also requires Microsoft account linking.
Forced Account Linking and Gamer Reactions
The requirement for mandatory account linking has been met with criticism in the past. Sony previously faced backlash over requiring PSN login for certain PC games and eventually removed the restriction for titles like Helldivers 2, God of War Ragnarök, and Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered.
Now, with Forza Horizon 5 requiring a Microsoft account on PS5, players may find themselves in a similar debate over forced account binding.
Final Thoughts
While the arrival of Forza Horizon 5 on PlayStation 5 is exciting for racing game fans, the lack of cross-save, mandatory Microsoft account linking, and no physical release may disappoint some players. As the release date approaches, it remains to be seen how PlayStation users will react to these requirements.