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

Microsoft's multiplatform strategy is proving highly effective, as evidenced by their successful launches on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S, and PC. A recent PlayStation blog post highlighted the top-selling games on the PlayStation Store for April 2025, and Microsoft's titles dominated the charts in both the U.S./Canada and Europe.

In the U.S. and Canada, the top three non-free-to-play downloads on PS5 were Microsoft's The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, Minecraft, and Forza Horizon 5. Similarly, in Europe, Forza Horizon 5 led the pack, followed by The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered and Minecraft. This strong performance underscores the appeal of these titles across different platforms.

Adding to Microsoft's success, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, which was 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 further bolstered Microsoft's presence on the PlayStation charts.

The success of these games on PlayStation is a testament to the quality of Microsoft's offerings. Forza Horizon 5, developed by Playground Games, was eagerly anticipated on PS5, filling a gap in the console's racing game lineup. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered caters to fans of Bethesda's immersive worlds, while Minecraft's popularity has surged even further due to the viral success of the Minecraft movie.

Microsoft's shift to a multiplatform approach is becoming the new norm. The company recently announced Gears of War: Reloaded for PC, Xbox, and PlayStation, set to release in August. This trend suggests that even Halo, once a flagship Xbox exclusive, may eventually make the transition to other platforms.

Microsoft's gaming chief, Phil Spencer, has been vocal about the company's strategy. In a conversation with Bloomberg last year, Spencer emphasized that there are no "red lines" preventing any Xbox game from going multiplatform, including Halo. This approach is driven by the need to maximize revenue, especially following Microsoft's $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard.

Spencer highlighted the business aspect of their strategy, 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. Because we get a level of support from the company that's just amazing and what we're able to go do. So I look at this, how can we make our games as strong as possible? Our platform continues to grow, on console, on PC, and on cloud. It's just going to be a strategy that works for us."

Former Xbox executive Peter Moore discussed the potential of bringing Halo to PlayStation with IGN. He pointed out the significant revenue potential, stating, "Look, if Microsoft says, wait, we're doing $250 million on our own platforms, but if we then took Halo as, let's call it a third-party, we could do a billion… You got to think long and hard about that, right?" Moore emphasized that while Halo is a crucial part of Xbox's identity, the business decisions must consider broader market dynamics and future growth.

Despite the potential for backlash from hardcore Xbox fans, who may feel that the Xbox brand is being devalued, Moore believes Microsoft will prioritize what's best for its business. He noted, "The question would be, ultimately, is that reaction enough not to make a fundamental business decision for the future of not only Microsoft's business, but gaming in itself? 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."