Microsoft has announced that Forza Horizon 5 will be released on PlayStation 5 in spring 2025. This marks a major shift in the gaming landscape, as the popular racing franchise has been an Xbox exclusive since its inception.
The PS5 version of Forza Horizon 5 will be developed by Panic Button, known for their excellent ports of games like Doom, in collaboration with Turn 10 Studios and Playground Games. PlayStation players can expect the full Forza experience, including all car packs and expansions like Hot Wheels and Rally Adventure.
This surprising announcement has really got the gaming community talking. It signals a potential end to the era of strict console exclusivity, with Microsoft seemingly prioritizing game availability over hardware sales. The decision aligns with earlier rumors of Xbox’s strategic pivot toward a more platform-agnostic approach.
For PlayStation owners, this means access to one of the most critically acclaimed racing games of recent years. Xbox players, on the other hand, may feel conflicted about losing a key exclusive title. The announcement has led to conversations about the future of other Xbox franchises, with many speculating that games like Halo and Gears of War might follow suit.
Microsoft’s strategy appears to be adapting to changing consumer preferences, focusing more on service-based revenue models like Game Pass rather than traditional console sales. This shift could have far-reaching implications for the gaming industry, potentially influencing how other companies approach platform exclusivity.
However, questions remain about the technical aspects of this cross-platform release. Fans have raised concerns about cross-save functionality and progress transfer, features not currently supported in Forza Horizon’s infrastructure.