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

Microsoft's multiplatform strategy is clearly reaping benefits, as evidenced by their successful launches on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S, and PC. Sony's own PlayStation blog post for April 2025 revealed the top-selling games on the PlayStation Store, highlighting the dominance of Microsoft titles.

In the U.S. and Canada, Microsoft games claimed the top three spots on the PS5's non-free-to-play download chart: The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, Minecraft, and Forza Horizon 5. A similar trend was observed in Europe, with Forza Horizon 5 leading, followed by The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered and Minecraft.

[ttpp]Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, backed by Microsoft for a day-one Game Pass launch and featured in Xbox showcase broadcasts, also ranked highly on both charts. Additionally, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 from Microsoft-owned Activision and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle from Microsoft-owned Bethesda made strong showings.

These results underscore a simple truth: high-quality games from Microsoft and other developers continue to top the sales charts. It's no surprise that these titles are performing well on PlayStation, given the demand for games like Playground's acclaimed Forza Horizon 5, which had a highly anticipated April launch on the console. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered satisfies the Bethesda fanbase across both PC and console, while Minecraft remains ever-popular, especially with the buzz around its record-breaking movie.

This trend marks a new normal for Microsoft, which recently announced Gears of War: Reloaded for PC, Xbox, and PlayStation, set to release in August. It seems increasingly likely that Halo, once an Xbox exclusive, will follow suit.

Microsoft's gaming chief, Phil Spencer, has stated there are no "red lines" in their first-party lineup regarding multiplatform releases, including Halo. In an interview with Bloomberg, Spencer emphasized that every Xbox game is a candidate for multiplatform release, aiming to maximize revenue, particularly after the massive $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard. He underscored the need to meet high expectations within Microsoft and grow their platform across consoles, PCs, and cloud services.

Former Xbox executive Peter Moore told IGN that discussions about bringing Halo to PlayStation have likely been ongoing. He highlighted the potential financial benefits, suggesting that expanding Halo to PlayStation could significantly increase revenue. Moore acknowledged the game's significance to Xbox's identity but noted that Microsoft must consider long-term business strategies, especially as the gaming audience evolves.

While this approach may alienate some hardcore Xbox fans who feel the brand's value is being diluted, Moore emphasized that Microsoft must make decisions that benefit the future of their gaming business and the industry at large. He pointed out that the hardcore gaming demographic is shrinking and aging, necessitating a focus on newer generations that will drive the market in the coming decades.