Microsoft’s resolution 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 publish 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 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 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 checklist 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 may have helped, too.
And let’s not overlook Activision’s Name of Obligation Fashionable 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: Fashionable Warfare 3, Grounded and Fallout 4.
The success of Sea of Thieves on PS5 specifically could vindicate Microsoft’s resolution to deliver a few of its video games to rival consoles, a call that sparked a lot debate throughout 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’s, which video games are subsequent?
Microsoft has so-far used video games launched over a yr 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 Struggle sport, in addition to a Gears assortment. Might Gears Roadie Run onto PS5, too?
Essentially the most dramatic transfer can be to deliver Halo to PlayStation. However would Microsoft really undergo with it? As former Xbox boss Peter Moore lately instructed IGN, Microsoft will likely 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’ll be able to attain Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.