Forza Horizon 4 cannot physically be launched on PlayStation 4 consoles, as it is exclusive to the Xbox and PC platforms, which is due to Microsoft's strategy to attract users to its ecosystem. The owner of the Japanese console will not be able to find this title in the PS Store digital store, either as a full version or through a cloud service, since the rights to the intellectual property and the engine belong to competitor Sony. The only technically possible, but extremely unstable and not recommended way, is to use remote access to a PC or Xbox and start the stream on a TV screen, but this requires a powerful computer and ideal Internet.
Absence Forza Horizon 4 in Sony's library creates a significant break in the open-world arcade racing genre for owners of this console. Users who were expecting a port of the 2018 hit are forced to look for alternatives that could reproduce the feeling of speed, freedom and dynamics of the seasons. Understanding the reasons for this policy helps you manage your budget wisely and not waste time looking for non-working installation methods through hacking, which is impossible on current versions of PS4 firmware.
Technical and legal reasons for exclusivity
The main reason for the inability to start Forza Horizon 4 on PlayStation 4 is a tight link between gaming studios Turn 10 and Playground Games to the Xbox platform. Microsoft, as the owner of these studios, uses flagship projects as “system-forming content” to sell its consoles and Game Pass subscriptions. Legal agreements prevent the game from being ported to competing platforms, as this would discourage gamers from buying Xbox Series X/S devices or building powerful PCs.
From a technical standpoint, the game is optimized for the x86-64 architecture, which is theoretically similar on PS4 and Xbox One, but the software and API (DirectX 12 vs. Vulkan or OpenGL) are fundamentally different. To release a version on PS would require a complete rewrite of the engine and all game processes, which is not economically feasible for Microsoft. Additionally, integration with Xbox Live, Achievements, and cloud saves is an integral part of the FH4 gaming experience.
⚠️ Attention: Do not try to download files with a .pkg extension that promise to install Forza Horizon 4 on PS4. Such files contain viruses or are fake archives that can lead to the console being blocked (banned) or the loss of personal data.
The developers are relying on cross-platform functionality within their ecosystem, allowing owners of Xbox One, Xbox Series and computers with Windows 10/11 to play together. This creates a closed but high-quality circle of players, where matchmaking is fast and servers are stable. Attempting to emulate Xbox One on the current generation of Sony consoles is technically impossible due to a lack of processing power and the lack of necessary libraries in Sony's security system.
To play Forza Horizon 4, all you need is a budget PC with a GTX 970 or RX 470-level graphics card, which is often cheaper than buying a new Xbox console.
Alternative racing simulators for PlayStation 4
Despite the absence of Microsoft's main hit, the PlayStation 4 library contains several outstanding projects that can partially or fully compensate for the absence Forza Horizon 4. The first place to look is the Gran Turismo series, which offers a more simulatory yet visually stunning experience. Gran Turismo Sport and released later Gran Turismo 7 (with limitations for running on PS4) demonstrate the highest level of car development and tire physics.
For fans of the arcade style and open world, close to the concept of FH4, the series is ideal The Crew 2 or Need for Speed Heat. The Crew 2 features a US-scale map where you can switch between cars, planes and boats, giving you a sense of freedom comparable to the British landscapes of Forza. Need for Speed Heat, in turn, offers an excellent customization system and illegal night races with the police.
- 🏎️ Gran Turismo Sport - the standard for realistic driving and online competitions.
- 🌉 The Crew 2 - a huge open world and a variety of transport.
- 🌃 Need for Speed Heat — style, tuning and dynamics of street racing.
- 🏁 Wreckfest - excellent damage physics and fun survival modes.
The project should also not be ignored Wreckfest, which, while focusing on derby and survival racing, has one of the best body deformation physics models in the industry. For rally fans it will be an excellent substitute DiRT 5, which offers bright, arcade-style visuals and tracks around the world that partly echoes the festival atmosphere of Forza.
Comparison of graphics and performance of platforms
If we consider the technical aspects, then Forza Horizon 4 on an Xbox One X or a powerful PC, it delivers 4K resolution at 60 frames per second using advanced shaders and global illumination. The PlayStation 4 console, even in the Pro version, has excellent optimization, but the lack of a native version of FH4 does not allow for a direct head-to-head comparison. However, when analyzing cross-platform projects, you can notice that the Xbox version often has a slightly more stable framerate, while PS4 wins in first_party exclusives.
The table below shows a comparison of the technical characteristics of consoles relevant for launching racing projects of the current and previous generation:
| Characteristics | PlayStation 4 Pro | Xbox One X | PC (Intermediate) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resolution | Up to 4K (Checkerboard) | Native 4K | Up to 4K and higher |
| Frame rate | 30-60 FPS | Stable 60 FPS | 60-144+ FPS |
| Boot (SSD) | Depends on the disc | Depends on the disc | Instantaneous (NVMe) |
| HDR support | Yes | Yes | Yes |
It's important to note that PC version of Forza Horizon 4 is technically the most advanced, supporting ultra-wide monitors, unlimited frame rates and maximum texture settings not available on any console. PS4 owners are deprived of the opportunity to appreciate the dynamic change of seasons in the form in which it is implemented in the ForzaTech engine, since no analogue on Sony has the same seamless technology for transitioning between seasons without loading screens.
Remote gaming and streaming capabilities
The only legal way to play Forza Horizon 4 is with a DualShock 4 controller, but the PS4 console itself is not involved in rendering the graphics. We are talking about Remote Play technology or streaming from a PC. If you have a computer with the game installed, you can stream the image to a device on the same network. The application is used for this PS Remote Play on PC, which allows you to connect a PlayStation gamepad to your computer.
Another option is to use cloud services such as Xbox Cloud Gaming (formerly xCloud), but they require a Game Pass Ultimate subscription and do not currently support native connections to PlayStation consoles for streaming Xbox games. Theoretically, you can stream from a PC to a TV through an application, but input lag can be critical for dynamic racing, where every millisecond of reaction is important.
How to set up a stream from PC to TV
Connect your PC and TV to the same 5 GHz network. Use an HDMI cable to output images from PC to TV. Launch Forza Horizon 4 in windowed mode. Connect your PS4 controller to your PC via USB or Bluetooth.
It is worth considering that when streaming, the quality of the picture directly depends on the speed of your router. For a comfortable game Forza Horizon 4 A stable connection of at least 50 Mbps is required to avoid compression artifacts and control latency. This makes the method inconvenient for competitive play online, but acceptable for quiet exploration of the open world.
Economic feasibility of buying an Xbox
For fans of the series who absolutely do not want to switch to PC, buying an Xbox console becomes the only rational decision. The market for used Xbox One S or Xbox One X consoles offers affordable prices, often comparable to the cost of two or three new games. Given that Forza Horizon 4 is included in the Game Pass catalog, a monthly subscription may be cheaper than purchasing the game separately on another platform (if this were possible).
Investing in the Microsoft ecosystem not only gives you access to FH4, but also future titles including Forza Motorsport and Horizon 5, as well as hundreds of other projects. In the long run, this is more profitable than waiting for ports that the company's strategy may never reach. PS4 owners remain in the position of observers, forced to content themselves with screenshots and video reviews.
- 💰 Budget entry: A used Xbox One S is inexpensive.
- 📀 Game Pass: Access to a library of 100+ games immediately.
- 🔄 Liquidity: Xbox consoles are easy to sell when new models are released.
Prospects for the release of cross-platform versions
In the video game industry, the concept of "exclusive" is becoming increasingly blurred. Sony began releasing its hits such as God of War and Horizon Zero Dawn on PC. However, Microsoft acts differently: they do not port games to the PlayStation, but transfer them to PC in order to reach the widest possible audience without being tied to a competitor’s hardware. The likelihood that company policies will change and Forza Horizon 4 appears on PS4 or PS5, tends to zero.
The only scenario in which this could happen is a radical change in Microsoft's business model, when revenues from the sale of games on other platforms exceed losses from loss of console sales. At the moment there is no such situation. Moreover, with the release of Xbox Series X|S, the focus has shifted to optimization for new hardware, and PS4 support becomes technically and economically meaningless.
⚠️ Attention: Rumors about “Forza coming to PlayStation” regularly appear on forums, but have no official confirmation. Don't trust fake screenshots and leaks from anonymous people.
Thus, PlayStation 4 owners can either accept the lack of a project or consider options for changing the platform. The industry dictates its own rules, and the competition of ecosystems forces developers to create the best content exclusively for their users, leaving owners of other consoles behind.
Forza Horizon 4 will never release on PS4 due to Microsoft's strategy. The best way to play is to buy an Xbox or build a PC.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is there any way to install Forza Horizon 4 on PS4 via a USB flash drive?
No, that's impossible. The PlayStation 4 operating system is closed and does not allow you to run executable files (.exe) or games from other platforms. Hacking attempts will result in a console ban.
Will Forza Horizon 4 come to PlayStation 5?
There are no official plans to release the game on PS5. Microsoft continues its strategy of exclusives for Xbox and PC, so the game will not appear even on the new generation of Sony consoles.
What's the best alternative to Forza Horizon 4 on PS4?
The closest analogues are The Crew 2 (US open world), Need for Speed Heat (arcade and tuning) and Gear.Club Unlimited 2. However, none of them completely repeats the mechanics of changing seasons in FH4.
Does crossplay between Xbox and PS4 work in racing?
In Forza Horizon 4, cross-play is only possible between Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and PC (Windows 10/11). There is no cross-play with PlayStation 4 or Nintendo Switch in this game and there will not be.
Why doesn't Microsoft sell Forza on PlayStation?
This is a strategic decision to promote its own Xbox platform and Game Pass service. Selling games to a competitor would reduce their console sales, so they prefer to develop their own ecosystem.