Microsoft’s determination to launch a few of its Xbox video games on rival console the PlayStation 5 seems to be paying off, with Uncommon’s pirate journey Sea of Thieves topping Sony’s gross sales chart.
In a submit on the PlayStation Weblog, Sony revealed that Sea of Thieves was April’s most-downloaded PS5 sport from the PlayStation Retailer within the EU, forward of the likes of GTA 5 and Helldivers 2, and the third most-downloaded sport within the U.S. Given Sony’s obtain chart doesn’t embrace free-to-play video games corresponding to Fortnite, we are able to say Sea of Thieves was the best-selling PS5 sport on the PlayStation Retailer in April, and proper up there within the U.S.
There’s extra excellent news for Microsoft’s controversial multi-platform push. Obsidian’s Grounded additionally options extremely in each the EU and the U.S. Elsewhere, Bethesda’s Fallout 4 tops the PlayStation 4 chart for April in each the EU and the U.S. Fallout 4 additionally makes the EU high 10 PS5 listing off the again of its lately launched next-gen replace. Fallout 4’s newfound success is in fact fueled by the breakout hit Fallout TV present, however steep reductions can have helped, too.
And let’s not neglect Activision’s Name of Obligation Trendy Warfare 3 can be an Xbox sport, now Microsoft owns Activision Blizzard. Total, 4 of the highest 10 video games in Europe are Xbox video games: Sea of Thieves, Name of Obligation: Trendy Warfare 3, Grounded and Fallout 4.
The success of Sea of Thieves on PS5 specifically could vindicate Microsoft’s determination to deliver a few of its video games to rival consoles, a choice that sparked a lot debate inside the Xbox core fanbase. It appears seemingly Microsoft will launch extra of its Xbox video games on PS5 and, doubtlessly, the Nintendo Change and its successor console. The query now’s, which video games are subsequent?
Microsoft has so-far used video games launched over a 12 months in the past for its multi-platform push, versus model new video games. With that in thoughts, maybe one of many Forza video games will pace onto PS5. Microsoft is closely rumored to be able to announce the subsequent mainline Gears of Battle sport, in addition to a Gears assortment. Might Gears Roadie Run onto PS5, too?
Probably the most dramatic transfer could be to deliver Halo to PlayStation. However would Microsoft really undergo with it? As former Xbox boss Peter Moore lately advised IGN, Microsoft might be debating whether or not to deliver Halo to PlayStation as we converse. Maybe we’ll discover out throughout Microsoft’s Xbox showcase occasion in June.
All this comes amid devastating cuts throughout Microsoft’s gaming enterprise, and after the shock closure of Hello-Fi Rush studio Tango Gameworks and Redfall studio Arkane Austin. In a current interview, Xbox president Sarah Bond insisted the closures had been about guaranteeing the Xbox enterprise stays wholesome for the long-term throughout what she known as “this second of transition.”
Wesley is the UK Information Editor for IGN. Discover him on Twitter at @wyp100. You’ll be able to attain Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.