Xbox disputes claims GTA 6 is selling 8x more copies on PlayStation, but I'm not convinced it's doing great

Date:
Mon, 29 Jun 2026 17:00:00 +0000

Description:
First a console price hike, now IGN claims PS5 game sales are eight times higher than they are on Xbox.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Grand Theft Auto 6 is selling eight times faster on PS5 than Xbox says IGN Xbox disputes this, however, in
a statement to Windows Central This potential bad news comes just as Xbox announced console price hikes IGN has reported that, based on its internal affiliate data, Grand Theft Auto 6 preorders on PS5 are surging ahead of Xbox preorders of the game at a rate of eight to one Xbox is now saying this is far from the full picture. Though, I have a hard time believing Xbox is doing a heck of a lot better than this data suggests.

In a statement to Windows Central, an Xbox spokesperson explained that This doesnt represent pre-order data. Weve had record orders. People should wait for real data and not clicks on affiliate links." Through IGN Finds' and commerce affiliate linking program, the data is showing that PlayStation is outperforming Xbox by a rate of 8-to-1. Link in bio for more on GTA's effect on console sales. #IGNSummerOfGaminghttps://t.co/Hc8yYr0FQJ#IGNSummerOfGaming pic.twitter.com/TaKQS2RgxH June 27, 2026 Now, I dont doubt that GTA 6 is selling gangbusters everywhere its playable, leading to record sales. Grand Theft Auto 5 is considered the third-best-selling game of all time trailing only Minecraft and Tetris (though not everyone counts Tetris, as the figures aggregate several versions of the game, and you might see some places calling GTA 5 the second-best-selling of all time). So it tracks that out of the gate GTA 6 would be hugely popular too, and I expect it will only get more popular when GTA 6 Online and the PC port eventually release. Latest Videos From
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However, Xbox seeing record orders and its preorders lagging behind PlayStations arent mutually exclusive. In fact, its no secret that the PS5
has outsold Xbox consoles this generation, so youd expect the Sony hardware
to have more GTA 6 game sales though with estimated sales figures sitting at around 95 million for PlayStation to 35 million Xboxes, you would expect a rate of two or three to one, not eight to one.

Is something more going on here as Xbox suggests? You may like New report suggests retailers may run out of PS5 and Xbox stock 'around the launch of
GTA 6' 'Demand will likely outstrip supply during the year end period'
Secure your PS5 at 130 off before GTA 6 arrives Rockstar Games could maximize GTA 6's sales with one simple addition (Image credit: Rockstar Games) What's going on with GTA 6 sales? On Xboxs side of the argument, there are reasons not to extrapolate too much from affiliate link data.

First, people might simply be picking the game up digitally directly from Xboxs store rather than through typical affiliate partners like Walmart, Argos, and Amazon . Given that GTA 6s physical edition is functionally identical to the digital version as theres no disc, just a download code in
a plastic case theres little to no advantage to buying from a retail store. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our
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And given Xbox's digital gaming focus with services like Game Pass and multi-platform gaming across consoles, PCs, and PC handhelds (even if GTA 6 doesnt look set to be a Play Anywhere title at launch), it makes sense that Xbox gamers would be more comfortable (and possibly more likely to shop) at Xboxs own store compared with PS5 gamers and PlayStation's store.

Whats more, affiliate data doesnt necessarily mean sales. IGN hasnt said much on what exactly its data is based on, but if it's affiliate link clicks (as the Xbox spokesperson suggests it is), then that doesnt necessarily mean the PS5 version is selling eight times more copies, just that links for the PS5 version are eight times more popular. (Image credit: Rockstar Games) Gamers could simply be clicking on them more but then not buying the game, or clicking a few times before making a purchase, though Im not sure why you wouldnt expect Xbox and PlayStation gamers to be equally flaky on a
post-click purchase. What to read next PlayStation says 'GTA 6 plays best on PS5' and is giving fans a freebie if they pre-order on the PS Store Get ready for GTA 6's launch with these PS5 accessory Prime Day deals We asked hundreds about GTA 6's price, and the majority said it was too high

The only final piece of support for Xbox would be if IGNs audience skewed
more towards PlayStation at a rate disproportionate to the overall
populations two- or three-to-one.

Though as a general gaming outlet rather than one dedicated to either side of the aisle, I dont see that being the case all I could see happening is IGNs audience of gaming enthusiasts could be more likely to own both an Xbox
Series and PlayStation 5 console, and then with Sonys promise that GTA 6
plays best on PS5 theyd be more likely to pick up a copy for Sonys hardware compared with Xboxs. (Image credit: Sony / Microsoft) All thats to say, while IGNs stats might not be entirely accurate to the final picture, I dont doubt that PS5 sales of GTA 6 are blowing Xboxs out of the water. And even if current sales arent quite eight-to-one, I wouldnt be surprised if sales trend in that direction.

My argument here is Xbox consoles are set to get a major price hike effective August 1 , 2026, putting the Series X at $749 for the all-digital, and $899 for the disc drive equipped model (price increases outside the US are yet to be confirmed) a sharp raise on the previous costs of $599 and $649 respectively which are the identical to the equivalent PS5 models.

Sony may announce similar hikes itself it isnt immune to the cost increases hitting the whole industry, though its drastically better sales may help it weather the storm for a little longer but until it does, the PS5 looks like
a much better deal. If casual gamers still rocking a last-gen console finally want to upgrade so they can play GTA 6, there will be a clear winner: the PlayStation 5.

Theres still a lot of time before Grand Theft Auto 6s eventual November 19 release date (Ill be ready for another delay until its actually in my hands), but I dont think Xboxs fortunes will turn around dramatically by then. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds. Today's best Rockstar Games Grand Theft Auto VI deals Rockstar Games Grand Theft Auto VI 67.99 Preorder See all prices Rockstar Games Grand Theft Auto VI 69.99 View Deal See all prices We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/gaming/ps5/xbox-disputes-claims-gta-6-is-selling-8x- more-copies-on-playstation-but-im-not-convinced-its-doing-great


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