Xbox Games Outsell PS5: Oblivion, Minecraft, Forza Top Charts

Microsoft's multiplatform strategy is clearly paying dividends, as evidenced by their strong performance on the PlayStation 5, in addition to Xbox Series X and S and PC platforms. Sony's PlayStation blog post, detailing the top-selling PlayStation Store games for April 2025, underscores this success.

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

Notably, 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 regional charts. Furthermore, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 from Microsoft-owned Activision and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle from Microsoft-owned Bethesda also made significant appearances.

This success across platforms suggests that high-quality games, regardless of their origin, will naturally lead sales charts. It's no surprise that these titles have performed well on PlayStation, given the demand for games like Forza Horizon 5, which filled a gap in the PS5's racing genre upon its April launch. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered caters to fans of Bethesda's immersive worlds across both PC and console, while Minecraft continues to gain popularity, boosted by the viral success of the Minecraft movie.

Microsoft's strategy of expanding to multiple platforms appears to be the new norm, with announcements like Gears of War: Reloaded slated for release on PC, Xbox, and PlayStation in August. Even Halo, once an Xbox exclusive, seems poised to follow suit.

Phil Spencer, Microsoft’s gaming chief, has been vocal about the company's multiplatform approach. Last year, he told Bloomberg that there are no "red lines" in Microsoft's first-party lineup, indicating that every Xbox game is a candidate for multiplatform release. This strategy is partly driven by the need to generate more revenue for Microsoft’s gaming division, especially following the $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard.

Spencer emphasized the business aspect, stating, “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.” He views the multiplatform strategy as a way to strengthen Microsoft's games and grow the platform across console, PC, and cloud.

Former Xbox executive Peter Moore, speaking to IGN, suggested that bringing Halo to PlayStation has likely been a topic of discussion at Microsoft. He noted that the potential for significantly increased revenue could outweigh keeping Halo exclusive. Moore acknowledged the possible backlash from hardcore Xbox fans but argued that Microsoft must consider the broader business implications and cater to new generations of gamers.

In conclusion, Microsoft's multiplatform approach is proving successful, as evidenced by their strong performance on PlayStation and the strategic considerations for expanding their iconic titles to new platforms.