Xbox sales data on PS5 could suggest strategy for exclusive games on new console

Xbox CEO Asha Sharma hinted that the company may reconsider its approach to exclusive games. With a new Xbox console looming, analysts have wondered if the system can thrive without unique titles. Fresh sales data focusing on the rival PS5 could predict how Microsoft’s cross-platform strategy will evolve.

Which Xbox games attracted the most PS5 players?

Alinea Analytics shared numbers showing how 13 first-party Xbox games performed on PlayStation hardware. The company believes that the releases have generated $667 million in revenue. Although the Call of Duty series isn’t included, all of these ports have now sold at least 100,000 units.

As in previous reports, Forza Horizon 5 leads the way, moving 5.8 million copies on the PS5. Sea of Thieves comes in second at 2.7 million, while Oblivion Remastered, with a mark of 1.2 million, is in third place. Further down the list are Grounded, Gears of War: Reloaded, Doom: The Dark Ages, and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle.

When looking for patterns in which games fared best, multiplayer projects dominated. Sony saw a similar result when it brought Helldivers 2 to the PC, accumulating over 13 million Steam sales. On the other hand, more recent single-player candidates didn’t post the same impressive figures. PlayStation is also rumored to be reconsidering its cross-platform ambitions.

The broad appeal of live-service

Not relying on micro-transactions, Forza Horizon isn’t the traditional live-service service series. Still, players regularly saw new content throughout most of the fifth installment's lifespan. The runner-up, Sea of Thieves, has been a success in part because of a large co-op player base on PC and multiple consoles.

Oblivion Remastered prospered, but most titles with sales under 1 million are solo experiences. Jason Schreier of Bloomberg expects that Sony will keep future single-player releases confined to the PS5 and PS6. As it prepares to launch a new Xbox console, Microsoft may follow this example, with Windows as an exception.

Some fans have called for a return to Xbox exclusive games, but Sharma seems undecided. Kotaku reported that she will make “the right decision, not the fastest decision.” The CEO also promised to use a “data-driven approach and a strategic-driven approach.” Even if Microsoft has its own metrics to consult, rankings like those from Alinea Analysts could influence any change in philosophy.