"Xbox Games Outsell PS5 Titles: Oblivion Remastered, Minecraft, Forza Horizon 5 Lead"

Microsoft's multiplatform strategy is evidently reaping significant rewards, as demonstrated by its successful launches on PlayStation 5 alongside Xbox Series X and S, and PC. This approach has been validated by Sony's own data, shared through a PlayStation blog post that highlighted the top-selling games on the PlayStation Store for April 2025.

In both the U.S. and Canada, the top three non-free-to-play download spots on PS5 were dominated by Microsoft titles: The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, Minecraft, and Forza Horizon 5. A similar trend was observed in Europe, where Forza Horizon 5 led the charts, followed by The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, and then Minecraft.

Additionally, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, which Microsoft supported with a day-one Game Pass release and featured in Xbox showcase broadcasts, also ranked high on both charts. Other notable entries from Microsoft-owned studios included Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 from Activision and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle from Bethesda.

These results underscore a simple yet powerful truth: high-quality games, regardless of their origin, will dominate sales charts. It's no surprise to see these titles excel on PlayStation, particularly with the much-anticipated release of Forza Horizon 5, which filled a gap in the PS5's racing genre. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered satisfies the ongoing demand for Bethesda's immersive worlds, while Minecraft continues to soar in popularity, boosted by the viral success of the Minecraft movie.

Microsoft's shift to multiplatform releases appears to be becoming the norm, as evidenced by the recent announcement of Gears of War: Reloaded for PC, Xbox, and PlayStation, set for an August release. This trend suggests that even Halo, once a cornerstone Xbox exclusive, might soon follow suit.

Last year, Microsoft's gaming chief Phil Spencer emphasized that no "red lines" exist within their first-party lineup when considering multiplatform releases—including Halo. In a conversation with Bloomberg, Spencer indicated that every Xbox game is a candidate for broader platform availability. He stated, "I do not see sort of red lines in our portfolio that say 'thou must not,'" highlighting Microsoft's flexible approach to maximizing game reach and revenue.

Spencer has also noted that this multiplatform strategy is partly driven by the need to generate more income for Microsoft's gaming division, especially after the substantial $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard. He emphasized the business perspective, saying, "We run a business... It’s definitely true inside of Microsoft the bar is high for us in terms of the delivery we have to give back to the company."

Former Xbox executive Peter Moore told IGN that discussions about bringing Halo to PlayStation have likely been ongoing within Microsoft. He pointed out the potential financial benefits, suggesting that if Halo could generate significantly more revenue as a multiplatform title, Microsoft would have to seriously consider the move. Moore acknowledged the iconic status of Halo within the Xbox ecosystem but stressed the importance of leveraging intellectual property to its fullest potential.

Despite potential backlash from dedicated Xbox fans who feel the console's value is being diluted by a lack of exclusives and Microsoft's broader marketing strategies, Moore believes that Microsoft will prioritize business decisions that benefit its future and the gaming industry at large. He noted, "Those hardcore are getting smaller in size and older in age. You've got to cater to the generations that are coming through, because they're going to drive the business over the next 10, 20 years."