The PlayStation 5 port of Forza Horizon 5 has emerged as a crowning achievement in Microsoft’s evolving multi-platform distribution strategy.
Originally debuting in 2021 as an exclusive for Xbox and PC, Forza Horizon 5 finally expanded its horizons to PlayStation consoles in April 2025. This transition proved to be a financial windfall for Microsoft; estimates from Alinea Analytics suggest that the Sony-based version of the title generated approximately $300 million in supplementary revenue.
Market enthusiasm was clear from the start, with both the Standard and Premium editions surging to the top of the PlayStation Store charts across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom during the pre-order window. Following its April 25 launch, the game became the fastest-selling Xbox Game Studios title on a PlayStation platform, surpassing 1.4 million units in just eight days. Momentum remained strong as sales reached 2 million within a month, eventually plateauing at an impressive 5 million copies.
Industry experts believe the success of Forza Horizon 5 validates Microsoft’s pivot toward releasing marquee titles on competing hardware. This trend is set to continue with Obsidian’s RPG Avowed arriving on PS5 this February 17, while whispers in the industry suggest that the upcoming Fable reboot may even see a simultaneous release on both Xbox and Sony systems.
In contrast, the highly anticipated Forza Horizon 6—rumored to be set in Japan—is expected to remain an Xbox and PC exclusive at launch. According to insider reports, the absence of a day-and-date PS5 version for the sequel is not a sign of shifting priorities, but rather a logistical reality: work on the FH6 port reportedly began well after development on the Fable port had already matured.
Source: iXBT.games