Microsoft's multiplatform strategy is proving successful, as evidenced by its strong performance on the PlayStation 5 alongside Xbox Series X and S and PC. Sony's PlayStation blog post for April 2025 highlights this success, showcasing the top-selling games on the PlayStation Store.
In the U.S. and Canada, Microsoft titles dominated the PS5 non free-to-play download chart, with The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, Minecraft, and Forza Horizon 5 securing the top three spots. Europe saw a similar trend, with Forza Horizon 5 leading, followed by The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered and Minecraft.
[ttpp]Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, backed by Microsoft for a day-one Game Pass launch and featured in Xbox showcases, 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 appeared on the charts.
This performance underscores the universal appeal of quality games, regardless of their origin. It's no surprise that these titles are thriving on PlayStation, especially with the PS5 eagerly awaiting a game like Forza Horizon 5. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered satisfies the demand for Bethesda's signature experience across platforms, while Minecraft continues to surge in popularity, fueled by the viral success of the Minecraft movie.
Microsoft's strategy of going multiplatform is becoming the new norm, as seen with the announcement of Gears of War: Reloaded for PC, Xbox, and PlayStation in August. Even Halo, once an Xbox exclusive, seems poised to follow suit.
Phil Spencer, Microsoft's gaming chief, confirmed last year that there are no "red lines" in their first-party lineup regarding multiplatform releases, including Halo. In an interview with Bloomberg, Spencer emphasized that every Xbox game is considered for multiplatform distribution. This approach is driven by the need to increase revenue, especially after the $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard.
"We run a business," Spencer stated in August. "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. Because we get a level of support from the company that's just amazing and what we're able to go do. So I look at this, how can we make our games as strong as possible? Our platform continues to grow, on console, on PC, and on cloud. It's just going to be a strategy that works for us."
Former Xbox executive Peter Moore discussed the potential of bringing Halo to PlayStation with IGN, noting that such a move could significantly boost revenue. "Look, if Microsoft says, wait, we're doing $250 million on our own platforms, but if we then took Halo as, let's call it a third-party, we could do a billion… You got to think long and hard about that, right?" Moore said. He emphasized that while Halo is iconic to Xbox, its potential as a broader intellectual property is undeniable.
However, Microsoft risks backlash from hardcore Xbox fans who feel the brand's value is diminishing due to fewer exclusives and shifts in marketing strategy. Moore acknowledged the potential for fan discontent but stressed that Microsoft must prioritize long-term business decisions. "The question would be, ultimately, is that reaction enough not to make a fundamental business decision for the future of not only Microsoft’s business, but gaming in itself?" he said. "Those hardcore are getting smaller in size and older in age. You've got to cater to the generations that are coming through, because they're going to drive the business over the next 10, 20 years."
