New PS5 Welcome Hub Widget Tracks Weekly Player Counts in 2026

Sony is currently testing a new feature for the PlayStation 5 that provides greater transparency regarding gaming engagement, including data for titles like Grand Theft Auto VI, developed by Rockstar Games, and Minecraft, developed by Mojang. This new functionality, integrated into the console's Welcome Hub, surfaces data regarding the most popular games within a user's specific region. While players often look for ways to track community activity, this update marks a shift in how Sony presents ecosystem data to its user base.

Understanding the New PS5 Welcome Hub Features 2026 Update

The core of this update is a new widget currently available to select beta testers. Unlike the real-time concurrent player numbers often seen on platforms like Steam, this PlayStation 5 widget focuses on weekly engagement. It calculates the total number of unique users who have launched a specific game at least once during a seven-day period. This metric offers a broader view of a game's reach rather than a snapshot of how many people are playing at any single second.

For those asking how does the PS5 weekly player count widget work, the system aggregates data based on the user's geographical location. Because the data is region-specific, the top ten list in the United States will differ significantly from lists generated for users in Europe or the United Kingdom. For instance, while titles like Grand Theft Auto VI are expected to maintain high positions in North American charts, regional favorites such as EA Sports FC are projected to dominate in European markets.

Data Insights and Regional Trends

The beta testing phase has provided a look at the types of metrics Sony intends to share. In the United States, the current top ten list includes a variety of high-profile titles. The data highlights the following weekly player counts observed during the beta period:

• Fortnite: 14.6 million players
• Grand Theft Auto VI: 5.13 million players
• Minecraft: 4.97 million players
• Call of Duty: 4.95 million players
• Apex Legends: 1.72 million players
• Marvel Rivals: 1.58 million players
• Battlefield 6: 1.51 million players
• ARC Raiders: 972,000 players

These figures represent the number of users who accessed these games on the PlayStation 5. It remains unclear if these statistics aggregate data from PlayStation 4 versions of these titles, though current indications suggest the data is isolated to PlayStation 5 versions. As we continue our PlayStation coverage, we will monitor whether Sony clarifies the scope of this data collection.

Tracking Activity Surges and Trending Games

Beyond the static top ten list, the widget includes a secondary functionality designed to identify spikes in player activity. This feature functions similarly to the trending tabs found on third-party tracking websites. If a game experiences a sudden influx of players—perhaps due to a new patch, a seasonal update, or a significant price discount—the widget will highlight that game as trending.

This provides a more immediate look at the health of the PlayStation ecosystem compared to the weekly top ten list, which tends to remain relatively stable. By surfacing these surges, Sony provides users with a way to see what the wider community is currently focusing on, whether that is a new release or a title receiving a major content drop. For more on how these updates impact the industry, see our industry news.

Limitations and Future Availability

As this feature is still in the beta stage, its final implementation is subject to change. Sony has not confirmed a public release date for the widget, nor is it guaranteed that the current iteration will be the final version rolled out to all users. However, given the technical effort required to surface this data, it is likely that the feature will see a wider release once the company is satisfied with the feedback from the testing group.

The introduction of this widget brings the PlayStation 5 closer to the level of data transparency enjoyed by PC users. While it does not offer the granular detail of SteamDB, it provides a meaningful look at the most popular games on the platform. Users who are curious about the habits of the broader PlayStation community will likely find this tool to be a useful addition to the Welcome Hub.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to see PS5 most played games widget?

The widget is currently in a beta testing phase and is accessible through the PlayStation 5 Welcome Hub for select users.

What is the new PS5 Welcome Hub player count feature?

It is an optional widget that provides a list of the top ten most played games in a specific country based on weekly engagement data.

Does PS5 show concurrent player numbers like Steam?

No, the new PlayStation 5 widget displays the total number of unique players over a seven-day period rather than real-time concurrent player counts.