Data Suggests PS5 Dominates Xbox for Single-Player Game Sales

If you have been wondering whether the PlayStation 5 remains the primary destination for blockbuster, story-driven experiences, new industry data offers a clear answer. According to Chris Dring, editor of The Game Business, AAA single-player games see approximately 75% to 80% of their total launch sales on Sony’s console compared to the Xbox Series X|S.

This performance gap isn't exactly a shock to industry observers. The PlayStation 5 currently boasts an install base of over 93 million units, while Microsoft’s hardware is estimated to be in the region of 35 million. When you account for that massive difference in reach, it becomes clear why publishers see the Sony platform as the natural home for major, single-player releases.

The Shift in Console Audience Habits

Dring noted that these figures are averaged out from various data suppliers. While he did not elaborate on specific regional breakdowns, he mentioned that in some European markets, the PS5 has become essentially the only viable option for many consumers.

Beyond raw numbers, the cultural positioning of each console plays a role. Sony’s heavy emphasis on narrative-heavy franchises like God of War and The Last of Us has solidified the platform's reputation. Meanwhile, the success and ubiquity of Game Pass on the Xbox ecosystem have fundamentally altered how Microsoft’s customers interact with their console, often prioritizing subscription access over individual unit sales for single-player titles.

Multiplayer Games Close the Gap

It is worth noting that this trend is not universal across all genres. Dring highlighted that the sales disparity narrows significantly when looking at online multiplayer titles. We have already seen this play out with Sony-published multiplayer projects like Bungie’s Marathon, where the audience split is less dramatic than in the single-player space.

This recent data follows a heated industry conversation regarding the highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto 6. Recent reports from IGN, using affiliate data, claimed that the PS5 version of the game was outperforming the Xbox edition at an 8:1 ratio in pre-orders. While Microsoft issued a statement to deny those specific results, the broader data shared by Dring suggests that for major, single-player open-world games with heavy Sony marketing support, the PS5 remains the dominant platform of choice for the majority of players.