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

Microsoft's multiplatform strategy is evidently successful, as demonstrated by its strong performance on the PlayStation 5, alongside Xbox Series X and S and PC. This success is confirmed through a PlayStation blog post detailing the top-selling games on the PlayStation Store for April 2025.

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 positions. A similar trend was observed in Europe, where Forza Horizon 5 led, followed by The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered and Minecraft.

Notably, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, which Microsoft supported with 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 also appeared in the charts.

This performance underscores the universal appeal of quality games, regardless of their origin. It's unsurprising to see these titles excel on PlayStation, given the high anticipation for games like Forza Horizon 5, which filled a gap in the PS5's racing game lineup. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered catered to the demand for Bethesda's iconic RPGs, while Minecraft's popularity surged further with the viral success of the Minecraft movie.

Microsoft's shift towards a multiplatform approach appears to be the new norm, as evidenced by the recent announcement of Gears of War: Reloaded for PC, Xbox, and PlayStation, set to release in August. This move suggests that even Halo, once a flagship Xbox exclusive, might follow suit.

Last year, Microsoft's gaming chief Phil Spencer emphasized that there are no "red lines" in their first-party lineup regarding multiplatform releases, including Halo. Speaking to Bloomberg, Spencer indicated that all Xbox games are potential candidates for multiplatform distribution. He highlighted the strategic importance of this approach in bolstering Microsoft's gaming business, especially following the $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard.

Spencer acknowledged the business pressures and the need to deliver strong financial results, 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 sees the multiplatform strategy as essential for growing their platform across consoles, PCs, and cloud services.

Former Xbox executive Peter Moore, in an interview with IGN, suggested that the idea of bringing Halo to PlayStation has likely been discussed at length within Microsoft. He pointed out the potential financial benefits, noting that if Halo could generate significantly more revenue on PlayStation, it would be a compelling case for the move. Moore emphasized the broader business implications, stating, "It's a piece of intellectual property. It's bigger than just a game. And how do you leverage that?"

Despite potential backlash from hardcore Xbox fans, who are already concerned about the devaluation of the Xbox brand and the lack of exclusives, Moore believes Microsoft will prioritize what's best for its business. He noted that the gaming industry must adapt to new generations of gamers, as "those hardcore are getting smaller in size and older in age."

In summary, Microsoft's multiplatform strategy is not only paying off but also reshaping the gaming landscape, with significant implications for both the company and the industry at large.