Microsoft’s determination to launch some 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 publish on the PlayStation Blog, Sony revealed that Sea of Thieves was April’s most-downloaded PS5 sport from the PlayStation Retailer in the EU, forward of the likes of GTA 5 and Helldivers 2, and the third most-downloaded sport in the U.S. Given Sony’s obtain chart doesn’t embody free-to-play video games akin 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 in 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 prime 10 PS5 listing off the again of its just lately launched next-gen replace. Fallout 4’s newfound success is of course fueled by the breakout hit Fallout TV present, however steep reductions can have helped, too.
And let’s not overlook Activision’s Name of Obligation Trendy Warfare 3 can be an Xbox sport, now Microsoft owns Activision Blizzard. General, 4 of the prime 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 might vindicate Microsoft’s determination to deliver some of its video games to rival consoles, a call that sparked a lot debate inside the Xbox core fanbase. It appears possible Microsoft will launch extra of its Xbox video games on PS5 and, probably, the Nintendo Change and its successor console. The query now could be, which video games are subsequent?
Microsoft has so-far used video games launched over a yr in the past for its multi-platform push, as opposed to model new video games. With that in thoughts, maybe one of the Forza video games will pace onto PS5. Microsoft is closely rumored to be prepared to announce the subsequent mainline Gears of Conflict sport, in addition to a Gears assortment. May Gears Roadie Run onto PS5, too?
Essentially the most dramatic transfer could be to deliver Halo to PlayStation. However would Microsoft really undergo with it? As former Xbox boss Peter Moore just lately advised IGN, Microsoft might be debating whether or not to deliver Halo to PlayStation as we communicate. 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 have been about making certain 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 possibly can attain Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.