Forza Horizon 5 is Coming to PlayStation 5

Microsoft has announced that Forza Horizon 5 will be released on PlayStation 5. This marks the first time in 20 years that a Forza title will be available outside the Xbox ecosystem, fundamentally changing the landscape of console gaming exclusivity.

Forza Horizon 5, widely acclaimed as one of the finest open-world racing games since its 2021 release, will soon be accessible to PlayStation players. According to Forza.net, the game will launch on PS5 later this year, complete with a new Premium Edition offering expansions, car packs, and additional content across all platforms.

Industry analysts at Gamerant suggest this move represents a calculated strategy by Microsoft. Rather than a simple platform expansion, it could be viewed as a strategic “Trojan Horse” approach – introducing PlayStation users to Xbox Game Studios’ content while potentially drawing them into Microsoft’s broader gaming ecosystem.

This decision follows Microsoft’s recent pattern of platform expansion, with titles like Hi-Fi Rush and Sea of Thieves already making their way to competing platforms. The strategy mirrors Sony’s own recent initiatives of bringing PlayStation exclusives such as God of War and The Last of Us to PC.

Panic Button is developing the PS5 version of Forza Horizon 5 in partnership with Turn 10 Studios and Playground Games, the two creators of the Forza series. The companies say the PS5 version of Horizon 5 will have the same content as the Xbox and PC versions, which means almost 900 cars and more than 40 different updates that have been put out since the game launched in 2021. It sounds like PlayStation users will still have to shell out extra cash for the Hot Wheels and Rally Adventure expansions, though.

The developers are also working on a new feature called Realms that will roll out to every version of the game:

Since the original Forza Motorsport’s debut in 2005, the franchise has been exclusively tied to Xbox platforms. According to MSN, this PlayStation release breaks a 20-year tradition, suggesting a fundamental shift in Microsoft’s approach to platform exclusivity. The company appears to be prioritizing broader game distribution and engagement over hardware-specific loyalty.

For PlayStation owners, this release provides access to one of gaming’s most celebrated racing titles without requiring additional hardware. Industry speculation is already mounting about other potential Xbox exclusives following suit, with rumors suggesting that even the iconic Halo franchise might be PlayStation-bound.

This development potentially marks the beginning of a new chapter in gaming, where platform boundaries become increasingly fluid. While the long-term implications of Microsoft’s strategy remain to be seen, the immediate future promises PlayStation players the opportunity to experience Forza Horizon 5’s acclaimed open-world racing experience.