Forza Horizon 5 Makes the Leap to PlayStation 5 This Spring
Image by Justin of Playground Games/Xbox.
Playground Games’ Forza Horizon 5 is set to launch on the PlayStation 5 this spring, thanks to Horror Button.
This marks Xbox’s racing simulation series as its first major, notable franchise to be transitioned to Sony’s platform. Earlier, Microsoft released the non-franchise titles Sea of Thieves, Pentiment, Hi-Fi Rush, and Grounded on the PS5 and Nintendo Switch. Indiana Jones & the Huge Circle is also expected to reach PlayStation in the coming months.
Forza Horizon 5’s PS5 version is reported to feature cross-play and the same content as its Xbox and PC counterparts, with previously released DLC available for purchase. A free content update named Horizon Regions will also be accessible for all platforms, allowing players to “explore a curated collection of some of the community’s favorite previously released Evolving Worlds, along with other surprises.”
“We are excited to welcome new players to the Horizon Festival,” concluded Playground Games.
Why Forza coming to PlayStation matters
The arrival of Forza Horizon 5 benefits both Microsoft and Sony in various ways. Recent financial reports indicate that Xbox hardware revenue continues to decline, and leader Phil Spencer has frequently stated that the company no longer aims to focus solely on hardware-exclusive games.
This port also addresses the series’ trend of removing titles from availability after a few years: Forza Horizon 4 was taken offline in 2024 after its 2018 launch, and Horizon 5 may not be too far behind, as it was released in 2021. Transitioning to PlayStation might extend its availability by a couple more years, although the Xbox and PC versions could end up being delisted first.
For PlayStation, it gains another prominent racing simulator in its portfolio. Its own flagship title is Gran Turismo, which often has significant intervals between major releases. With one recent Gran Turismo installment already delisted, Forza Horizon 5 provides an additional racing option for gamers to enjoy until Polyphony Digital offers a new game.
About the Author
Contributing Editor, GameDeveloper.com
Hailing from Kansas City, MO, Justin Carter has contributed to numerous websites, including IGN, Polygon, and SyFy Wire. In addition to his work for Game Developer, his articles can also be found on io9 via Gizmodo. Don’t ask him about how much gum he has, as the answer is likely to be more than he’s willing to disclose.