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

With Forza Horizon 5 heading to PlayStation 5, Xbox's multi-platform strategy is gaining momentum—potentially paving the way for more first-party exclusives to make the jump.

Forza Horizon 5 Coming to PS5 Could Mark a New Era for Xbox Games

At the start of 2024, a wave of rumors suggested that several Xbox first-party games might be making their way to PlayStation and Nintendo Switch. Many of these rumors turned out to be true, with titles like Sea of Thieves, Grounded, Hi-Fi Rush, and Pentiment all receiving ports throughout the year. This shift signaled a major evolution in Xbox's strategy.

For the past year, Xbox’s leadership has been candid about the possibility of more first-party games landing on competing platforms. Xbox head Phil Spencer himself has stated that there are no "red lines" regarding which franchises could receive a port in the future. Now, with Forza Horizon 5 officially confirmed for PlayStation 5, it feels like the perfect time for Xbox to fully embrace this multi-platform approach.

Is It Time for Halo and Gears of War to Join PlayStation?

When Xbox first unveiled its plans to expand its titles beyond its ecosystem, many speculated that iconic franchises like Halo and Gears of War could eventually make the jump as well. Over the past year, rumors have continued to circulate about their potential arrival on PlayStation, though nothing has been confirmed—yet.

One of the most recent claims came from industry insider Nate the Hate, who suggested that Xbox is planning to release Halo: The Master Chief Collection on PlayStation 5 and the rumored Nintendo Switch 2. Similarly, Windows Central's Jez Corden has reported that both Halo: MCC and Gears of War could be heading to PlayStation. While these plans remain unofficial, the move would make a great deal of sense from a business perspective.

A Win-Win Situation for Xbox

Although some Xbox loyalists remain hesitant about seeing their beloved franchises on PlayStation, this strategy presents significant advantages for Microsoft.

Firstly, these games have already enjoyed long lifespans within the Xbox ecosystem. Halo: The Master Chief Collection is now over a decade old, with the individual games inside it being even older. Likewise, the most recent Gears of War installment is nearly six years old. By this point, most Xbox players who were interested in these titles have likely already experienced them, leading to dwindling sales.

Releasing these legacy titles on new platforms provides Xbox with an opportunity to tap into fresh audiences and generate additional revenue with minimal development effort. Moreover, introducing these franchises to PlayStation players could create a new fanbase that may eventually be willing to invest in Xbox hardware for future entries—especially if upcoming installments remain exclusive.

While it may feel strange at first to see Xbox legends like Master Chief and Marcus Fenix on PlayStation, the potential benefits for Microsoft far outweigh any initial awkwardness. With Forza Horizon 5 opening the door, this could very well be the beginning of a new era where Xbox’s most iconic franchises finally break free from exclusivity.