Huge updates coming to AoE & Forza Horizon 5, partly thanks to the PS5 migration

Fully compatible, zero-issues cross-platform gameplay is the dream of every true gamer with a massive collection of triple-A titles. And that’s understandable; if I’m buying a game, I don’t want to buy it five more times or start from scratch on another platform. Seems like Microsoft finally gets that and acts on it.

In a significant turn in its evolving strategy, Microsoft is making its award-winning titles, Forza Horizon 5 and Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition, available to PlayStation 5 (PS5) players. And that’s not even the punchline. If you’re an Xbox player, get ready for some of “the biggest updates” yet!

Forza Horizon 5’s ‘Horizon Realms’ Update

Launched on the 25th of April, the ‘Horizon Realms’ update for Forza Horizon 5 will be one of the largest post-launch updates yet. Forza Horizon 5 will reintroduce some previously time-sensitive locations as a standard, adding more worlds to the player’s realm. A new ‘Horizon Stadium Circuit’ will also feature new challenges. Players are also looking forward to four new cars and an ‘Accolade Tab’ with over 60 new accolades to complete, enhancing overall gameplay.

Keep in mind that you’ll need a Microsoft account to play the game on PS5.

The Future Expansion of Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition

Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition prepares for a significant update in mid-April. The expansion will introduce new graphics for monasteries, elite unique units, monks, castles, and enhancements to the technology tree user interface. Balance changes, new maps, and enhanced features in favor of random map scripting, scenario editing, and modding will also be included. These new features bring new life to the old real-time strategy game, both for old and new players, with more enriched content.

Microsoft’s decision to release these historically Xbox-exclusive games on PS5 is a strategic shift toward a more ubiquitous gaming platform. By making Forza Horizon 5 and Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition available to a broader market, Microsoft not only increases its pool but also develops a more unified gaming community. This is a new trend in the business toward cross-platform releases, which attempts to dismantle boundaries and provide more immersive player experiences across consoles.

The impending revisions for Forza Horizon 5 and Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition and their respective PS5 adaptations are the mile markers of Microsoft’s gaming initiative. This has promised to deliver increased content and experience to more fans, evidence that Microsoft continues to embrace the dynamic rhythm of the gaming industry.