In a surprising twist for the gaming industry, six of the ten best-selling games on PlayStation platforms from April 6 to July 5, 2025, were published by Microsoft. This data, shared by Circana’s executive director and video game analyst Mat Piscatella, highlights a significant shift in the gaming landscape, where Microsoft’s influence is becoming increasingly pronounced.
Ranked by dollar sales and including both physical and digital formats from participating publishers, Microsoft’s titles such as Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Minecraft, Doom: The Dark Ages, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion: Remastered, and Forza Horizon 5 secured ninth, eighth, sixth, fifth, third, and second places on the top ten list, respectively. Only Bandai Namco’s Elden Ring: Nightreign in the top spot prevented Microsoft from claiming all top three positions.
Microsoft’s Growing Influence
The announcement comes as the gaming industry continues to evolve with cross-platform play and acquisitions reshaping traditional boundaries. Microsoft’s success on PlayStation platforms underscores its strategic moves to expand its footprint beyond its own Xbox ecosystem. This trend is not only a testament to Microsoft’s robust game development and publishing capabilities but also a reflection of its aggressive acquisition strategy, which has seen it absorb major studios and game franchises.
According to Piscatella, “The data highlights a significant shift in the industry dynamics, where platform exclusivity is less of a barrier, allowing publishers like Microsoft to thrive across different ecosystems.”
Comparative Analysis Across Platforms
Meanwhile, on Xbox, Microsoft similarly published four of the top ten games. However, Take-Two Interactive came in close with three titles from its popular 2K25 sports series: WWE 2K25, NBA 2K25, and PGA Tour 2K25. Despite Microsoft’s strong showing, Bandai Namco’s Elden Ring: Nightreign was the overall best-seller on Microsoft platforms as well.
On Nintendo platforms, Mario Kart World, which launched alongside the Nintendo Switch 2 last month, topped the chart. While seven of the ten games listed were published by Nintendo, third-party titles like Cyberpunk 2077, Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma, and Hogwart’s Legacy also secured spots, indicating a healthy mix of in-house and third-party successes.
Historical Context and Industry Trends
This development follows a historical pattern where major publishers seek to diversify their presence across multiple platforms. Historically, companies like Electronic Arts and Activision Blizzard have also seen success with multi-platform strategies. However, Microsoft’s current dominance on a competitor’s platform is particularly noteworthy, given the historical rivalry between PlayStation and Xbox.
Industry experts believe this could signal a new era of cooperation and competition, where the lines between platform exclusivity blur, benefiting consumers with more choices and potentially leading to more innovative gaming experiences.
By the Numbers: “Six of the top ten best-selling games on PlayStation were published by Microsoft, marking a significant shift in industry dynamics.” — Mat Piscatella, Circana
Future Implications and Market Reactions
The move represents a potential shift in how platform holders and game publishers collaborate. As Microsoft continues to leverage its acquisitions and partnerships, the gaming landscape could see more cross-platform titles dominating sales charts. This strategy not only broadens Microsoft’s reach but also enhances its revenue streams from platforms traditionally seen as competitors.
Looking ahead, the gaming community and industry analysts will be keenly watching how Sony responds to this development. Will it push for more exclusive titles, or perhaps open up its platform further to third-party publishers to maintain its competitive edge? Only time will tell.
In conclusion, Microsoft’s dominance in PlayStation’s Q2 2025 best-seller list is a testament to its strategic foresight and adaptability in an ever-evolving industry. As the lines between platforms continue to blur, the ultimate winners are likely to be the gamers, who benefit from a richer, more diverse gaming ecosystem.
