Playing Forza Horizon 5 on PlayStation 5 requires a Microsoft account, as confirmed by Microsoft. This is detailed in a Forza support FAQ: "Yes, in addition to a PSN account, you'll need to link a Microsoft account to play Forza Horizon 5 on PS5. This process starts when you first launch the game."

This mirrors the account linking policy for other Xbox games on PlayStation, including Minecraft, Grounded, and Sea of Thieves. However, this requirement has sparked controversy. Concerns exist regarding the long-term preservation of the PS5 version, particularly given the digital-only release and the potential for future account linking issues. Players worry about losing access to their purchased game if their Microsoft account is compromised or if Microsoft discontinues the linking process.

This situation recalls the backlash against Sony's similar requirement for Helldivers 2 on PC, a policy that was later reversed. While Sony's subsequent policy change offered bonuses for linked accounts, the Forza Horizon 5 situation remains a point of discussion among PS5 players.

The Forza Horizon 5 FAQ clarifies that the game does *not* offer cross-progression between Xbox, PC, and PS5. Save files are platform-specific and not synchronized. While user-generated content (UGC) can be shared between platforms, editing is only possible on the original save profile. However, some online statistics, like leaderboard scores, are synchronized if you use the same Microsoft account.

Forza Horizon 5's PS5 release is part of Microsoft's broader multi-platform strategy, suggesting more such releases are likely in the future.