Forza Horizon 5 Coming to PS5 Should Signal the Opening of the Floodgates

Forza Horizon 5’s PlayStation Debut Could Mark a New Era for Xbox Exclusives

At the start of 2024, a wave of rumors suggested that several Xbox first-party titles could be making their way to PlayStation and Nintendo Switch. While speculation ran rampant, it wasn’t long before reality set in—Xbox confirmed that games like Sea of Thieves, Grounded, Hi-Fi Rush, and Pentiment would be crossing over to other platforms. This move signaled a significant shift in Xbox’s strategy, marking the beginning of a new, more open ecosystem.

For over a year, Xbox leadership has been candid about the possibility of more first-party games coming to PlayStation and Switch. Xbox head Phil Spencer himself has stated that there are no “red lines” when it comes to which franchises might receive a port. Now, with Forza Horizon 5 officially confirmed for PlayStation 5, it seems like the perfect time for Xbox to fully open the floodgates.

It’s Time for Halo and Gears of War to Come to PlayStation

When Xbox initially announced its plans to bring first-party titles to other platforms, speculation quickly turned to Halo and Gears of War—two of Xbox’s most iconic franchises. Over the past year, rumors have circulated suggesting that these heavyweights could be next in line, but so far, nothing has been officially confirmed.

One of the latest rumors came just weeks ago when industry insider Nate the Hate claimed that Xbox plans to release Halo: The Master Chief Collection on PlayStation 5 and the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2. Additionally, Windows Central’s Jez Corden recently suggested that both Halo: MCC and Gears of War are indeed heading to PlayStation. While Xbox has yet to make an official announcement, the move would make a lot of sense.

Halo and Gears of War on PlayStation Would Be a Win-Win for Xbox

Although some Xbox loyalists remain hesitant about seeing their favorite franchises on PlayStation, from a business perspective, the move would be highly beneficial. There are two major reasons why this strategy could work in Xbox’s favor.

First, the games in question have been available on Xbox for years. Halo: The Master Chief Collection has been out for over a decade, and the individual games within it are even older. Even the latest entry in the Gears of War series is approaching its six-year anniversary. At this stage, most Xbox players interested in these titles have likely already played them, meaning their sales potential on Xbox has mostly plateaued. By bringing these legacy titles to PlayStation, Xbox would tap into a fresh, untapped market with minimal effort.

Secondly, expanding Halo and Gears of War to other platforms introduces the franchises to new players who might never have experienced them before. This could work as a long-term strategy—once PlayStation players become invested in these IPs, they may be more inclined to pick up an Xbox to play future exclusives in the series.

It might feel surreal to see Halo’s Master Chief or Gears of War’s Marcus Fenix on a PlayStation console, but the benefits for Xbox and Microsoft would likely outweigh any initial awkwardness. With Forza Horizon 5 leading the charge, this could be just the beginning of a broader, more interconnected gaming future.