The Release of Forza Horizon 5 on PS5 Marks a Permanent Shift, Not the End, for Xbox

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A question that’s been on the mind of many Xbox enthusiasts recently is whether any of its ‘big three’ franchises—Halo, Gears, or Forza—would ever make their way to the PS5. To the surprise of many, Forza Horizon 5 has been announced for Sony’s current-gen console, with a slated release in Spring 2025. Naturally, this news has been a hot topic of discussion among fans.

Some are understandably upset about this cherished Xbox exclusive heading to a rival platform, but truth be told, it’s a move that’s been on the horizon for quite some time. Reading between the lines, Phil Spencer and his team at Xbox have gently prepared us for this era of “no red lines” regarding exclusives. This likely signals that other big titles like Halo, Gears, and Starfield could find their way to the PS5 and perhaps even the Nintendo Switch 2 in the not-too-distant future.

But why take this path? Why risk alienating devoted fans who’ve stuck with Xbox primarily for its exclusives? The answer likely lies in the numbers. It’s no secret that Microsoft’s income from Xbox content and services has been on the rise while hardware sales have dwindled. This shift in focus is paving the way for Xbox to morph into a publishing powerhouse, making its games more accessible across different platforms.

Earlier this year, Phil Spencer mentioned that the Xbox brand has “evolved” to stay competitive amid tough times for the gaming industry. He believes this is the best approach for widespread acceptance, enabling major developers and publishers to keep creating high-budget AAA titles. Thomas Mahler, CEO of Moon Studios, echoed this sentiment, implying that with the ballooning costs of game development, the industry must break away from its dependency on exclusives.

Of course, it doesn’t hurt when ex-Xbox exclusives find great success elsewhere. Take, for instance, Xbox’s announcement in February 2024, revealing the migration of Hi-Fi RUSH, Sea of Thieves, Pentiment, and Grounded to other platforms. PlayStation and Nintendo fans quickly embraced these games they couldn’t access before. Sea of Thieves, in particular, has been a blockbuster hit on PS5, a point Microsoft has been keen to highlight. However, there was some backlash when only four titles were initially revealed to make the jump, which was always going to change as PlayStation owners began to show more interest.

And here’s where my main concern lies with Xbox’s emerging strategy. Xbox has gone all out with a marketing blitz, convincing people that every device “is an Xbox,” and that message has been well received. Yet, they haven’t been clear about what this really means for games heading to PS5 and Switch. Initially, it was a tentative four games, now a few more, and soon it might expand to potentially encompass Xbox’s full gaming catalog. Xbox fans are still caught in a cloud of uncertainty about what the future really holds, apart from some speculations and the occasional nudge from Phil Spencer.

But here’s the burning question: Can Microsoft sell hardware without relying on exclusive titles, and can Xbox Game Pass boost enough devices on its own?

The prospect of Forza Horizon 5 on PS5 feels like the dawn of a new era or possibly an end for staunch Xbox fans, yet it’s simply the continuation of a strategy that’s been brewing for some time—a strategy poised to be lucrative in 2025. The push for multiplatform availability is in full force. While Microsoft isn’t eager to provide a detailed roadmap, expect to see more Xbox first-party games on PS5, Switch 2, and other systems before the year’s out. From a business and industry standpoint, it’s a smart move, but understandably disappointing for those who wish Xbox maintained its exclusivity stance.

It’s hard to say how this strategy will pan out long-term. What’s in store for the next Xbox console? What about a potential Xbox handheld? Can Microsoft sell hardware without the allure of exclusives, and does Xbox Game Pass possess the prowess to drive system sales by itself? I have no doubt these are questions Phil Spencer has pondered, and ideally has solutions for. Yet, there’s an underlying anxiety across the Xbox community, and Xbox has its work cut out to retain its loyal followers in the days ahead. Here’s hoping that commitment pays off, as Xbox is undoubtedly taking a turn that will change its landscape forever.

This article is crafted by Fraser Gilbert, the Editor of Pure Xbox.