Microsoft's multiplatform strategy is proving successful, as evidenced by its strong performance on the PlayStation 5, in addition to Xbox Series X and S and PC. This was confirmed by Sony's PlayStation blog post, which highlighted the top-selling games on the PlayStation Store for April 2025.
In the U.S. and Canada, Microsoft games 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, with Forza Horizon 5 leading, followed by The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered and Minecraft.
Additionally, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, backed by Microsoft for a day-one Game Pass launch and featured in Xbox showcase broadcasts, also ranked highly on both charts. Microsoft-owned titles such as Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 from Activision and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle from Bethesda also made strong showings.
This success underscores that quality games, regardless of their origin, can achieve top sales positions. It's particularly notable on the PS5, where Forza Horizon 5 has been eagerly awaited, and The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered has satisfied fans' cravings for Bethesda's titles. The popularity of Minecraft has been further boosted by the viral success of the Minecraft movie.
Microsoft's multiplatform approach appears to be the new standard, as evidenced by their recent announcement of Gears of War: Reloaded for PC, Xbox, and PlayStation, set to release in August. It seems increasingly likely that even Halo, once an Xbox exclusive, might follow suit.
Phil Spencer, Microsoft's gaming chief, has stated that there are no "red lines" preventing any Xbox game from going multiplatform, including Halo. Speaking to Bloomberg, Spencer emphasized that the strategy is driven by the need to increase revenue, especially following the $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard. He highlighted the importance of delivering strong results to justify the support Microsoft provides to its gaming division.
Spencer's vision is to strengthen Microsoft's games across all platforms, including consoles, PCs, and cloud services, to ensure sustained growth and profitability.
As former Xbox executive Peter Moore noted in an interview with IGN, the potential financial benefits of bringing Halo to PlayStation would be a significant factor in Microsoft's decision-making process. Moore acknowledged the iconic status of Halo within the Xbox ecosystem but suggested that business considerations might outweigh the loyalty of hardcore Xbox fans.
Microsoft's shift to a multiplatform strategy could provoke backlash from dedicated Xbox fans who feel the console's value is diminishing due to fewer exclusives and changes in Microsoft's marketing approach. However, Moore believes that Microsoft will prioritize long-term business decisions over immediate fan reactions, especially as the gaming audience continues to evolve and expand.
In summary, Microsoft's multiplatform strategy is not only paying off but also reshaping the landscape of gaming, with potential implications for iconic franchises like Halo.
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