Microsoft's multiplatform strategy is clearly proving successful, as evidenced by the strong performance of its games on the PlayStation 5, in addition to Xbox Series X and S and PC. This was confirmed by Sony through a PlayStation blog post detailing the top-selling games on the PlayStation Store for April 2025.
In the U.S. and Canada, Microsoft titles dominated the top three spots on the PS5's non-free-to-play download chart: The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, Minecraft, and Forza Horizon 5. A similar trend was observed in Europe, where Forza Horizon 5 led, 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 showcase broadcasts, also ranked high on both regional charts. Additionally, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 from Microsoft-owned Activision and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle from Microsoft-owned Bethesda appeared prominently in the rankings.
This success underscores a simple truth: quality games from any developer, including Microsoft, can top sales charts. It's no surprise to see these titles perform well on PlayStation, especially given the anticipation for Forza Horizon 5, which filled a gap for a high-quality racing game on the PS5. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered caters to fans of Bethesda's RPGs across platforms, while Minecraft's popularity has been further boosted by its successful movie adaptation.
[ttpp]Microsoft's shift to multiplatform releases is becoming the new norm, as evidenced by the recent announcement of Gears of War: Reloaded for PC, Xbox, and PlayStation, set for release in August. This move suggests that even iconic titles like Halo, once exclusive to Xbox, may eventually be available on other platforms.
Last year, Microsoft's gaming chief Phil Spencer emphasized that there are no "red lines" preventing any first-party game from going multiplatform, including Halo. In an interview with Bloomberg, Spencer stated that every Xbox game is considered for multiplatform release, driven in part by the need to generate more revenue following Microsoft's $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard.
"We run a business," Spencer said in August, highlighting the high expectations within Microsoft for the gaming division to deliver results. He views the multiplatform strategy as a way to strengthen Microsoft's games and expand its platform across consoles, PCs, and cloud services.
As former Xbox executive Peter Moore told IGN, the idea of bringing Halo to PlayStation has likely been a topic of discussion at Microsoft for some time. Moore suggested that the potential to significantly increase revenue by treating Halo as a third-party title on PlayStation could be a compelling business decision, despite its iconic status within the Xbox ecosystem.
However, Microsoft's move to multiplatform could provoke a backlash from hardcore Xbox fans, who are already feeling that the brand's value and exclusivity are being diminished. Yet, Moore pointed out that the influence of these dedicated fans is waning, as newer generations of gamers will shape the future of the industry. "Those hardcore are getting smaller in size and older in age," he noted, suggesting that Microsoft must cater to emerging markets to ensure long-term growth and success.
