Xbox Claims GTA 6 Preorder Share Aligns with Console Market Share, Countering PS5 Dominance Report

Microsoft has responded to a report suggesting that GTA 6 preorders are heavily favoring PlayStation 5 over Xbox Series X and S.

In a report about this week's layoffs and studio reorganization at Xbox, The Verge's Tom Warren stated that PS5's dominance in GTA 6 preorders was "ringing yet more alarm bells" for Xbox as a platform.

However, Xbox Chief Strategy Officer Matthew Ball asserted that Microsoft is "very happy" with GTA 6 preorders and that internal data shows preorders are matching "our share of the console market."

Ball's full statement reads:

"Tom, we are very happy with GTA VI pre-orders. The title is breaking records for XBOX, we expect even more records will be broken throughout the fall, and our internal analysis shows our share of preorders to be matching our share of the console market."

While Sony regularly announces PS5 sales figures, Microsoft hasn't disclosed Xbox Series X and S sales numbers in years. As of June 30, PS5 had sold over 95 million units. Analysts suggest the combined Xbox Series range is being outsold by PS5 at least 2:1. If that ratio holds, there are likely twice as many GTA 6 preorders for PS5 as for Xbox Series X and S.

Sony and Rockstar Games' partnership for GTA 6 is also significantly impacting preorders. Sony has heavily promoted GTA 6, understandable given the game is expected to break sales records and boost console sales. This has led to GTA 6 gameplay focusing on the PS5 version, PS5 appearing in GTA 6 marketing materials, and even a custom GTA 6 UI for Sony's console.

Sony has published blog posts detailing PS5 features that GTA 6 will utilize, such as the DualSense controller's speaker and haptic feedback. Other additions to GTA 6's PS5 marketing campaign include a PlayStation app logo on smartphones featuring GTA 6 colors and pale tree fronds. So, with PlayStation's partnership in full swing, preorders being "heavily skewed" toward PS5 shouldn't surprise anyone.

The Verge's report also suggested that the Xbox "reset," led by new CEO Asha Sharma, might aim to make Xbox easier to spin off or operate as a wholly owned subsidiary, as previous reports have indicated.

GTA 6 launches on PS5 and Xbox Series X and S on November 19.