In a shocker, Playground Games announced that Forza Horizon 5, which was once an Xbox exclusive, will be coming to the PS5 this spring. We’ve seen it happen with other Xbox exclusives like Sea of Thieves and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle which have made their way to the PS.
Development and Content
Panic Button is developing the PS5 version with Turn 10 Studios and Playground Games. The content will be the same as the Xbox and PC versions so you don’t need to worry as you’ll get the same day one Forza experience with Car Packs and Hot Wheels and Rally Adventure added.
Xbox Strategy: Going Beyond Their Own Platforms
The move aligns with a bigger Xbox strategy to take their gaming experiences beyond their own hardware. Xbox head Phil Spencer recently confirmed that they will support other platforms including the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2. This is a big change for Xbox and could open up new markets and add to their player base.
Financial Reasons
Recent financials may also be a factor in Microsoft bringing Forza Horizon 5 to PS5. In their latest earnings call, Microsoft said that while Indiana Jones and the Great Circle got 4 million players, Game Pass on PC grew 30% and total gaming revenue was down 30% due to a 30% decline in console sales. So it looks like they may be focusing on growing Game Pass and using popular titles on other hardware to stabilize and grow their revenue streams.
Why Forza Horizon 5?
Forza Horizon 5 is the open-world racing series, not the simulation focused Forza Motorsport. This one takes you to the beautiful landscapes of Mexico and is a great mix of racing and exploration. The more arcadey racing, combined with the great visuals and dynamic weather, has appealed to both casual gamers and racing enthusiasts.
Looking Ahead: What This Means For Gamers
Forza Horizon 5 on PS5 is great news for PS owners who want to play one of Xbox’s best titles. It also means the exclusivity of the past may be a thing of the past and we may see a future where console owners can play their favorite franchises on more platforms. As Xbox starts to experiment with their ecosystem the playing field might just get more open and cross platform play might become the norm which is good for gamers everywhere.