Microsoft Addresses GTA 6 Pre-Order Reports: PS5 Outpacing Xbox
▼ Summary
– IGN’s affiliate data shows PS5 GTA 6 pre-orders outperforming Xbox versions by an 8:1 ratio, updated from an earlier 6:1 report.
– The data is based on affiliate link clicks, which may not reflect actual sales, and skews toward physical releases despite the game lacking a disc.
– Microsoft disputed the data, stating it doesn’t represent real pre-order figures and claimed record orders, urging reliance on official data.
– Sony is marketing GTA 6 aggressively, including a custom PS5 startup animation, a promotional effort exceeding its own first-party titles.
– The PS5’s larger install base (94 million units) compared to Xbox Series X|S (estimated 35 million) makes it the likely top-selling platform for GTA 6.
A recent report from IGN has sparked a conversation about GTA 6 pre-order trends, with the publication’s affiliate data suggesting that the PS5 version of Rockstar’s upcoming blockbuster is significantly outperforming its Xbox counterpart. Initially reporting a 6:1 ratio in favor of PlayStation, IGN has since updated that figure to 8:1 based on further analysis of its own commerce linking program.
Of course, this data warrants caution. Affiliate clicks do not always translate into actual purchases, and the numbers are skewed toward physical pre-orders, which are less representative of the overall market. Notably, the boxed version of GTA 6 does not include a disc, making it a digital-only release that still counts as a physical transaction in this metric.
Despite these caveats, the report has drawn a reaction from Microsoft. In a statement provided to Windows Central, a company spokesperson pushed back, saying: “This doesn’t represent pre-order data. We’ve had record orders. People should wait for real data and not clicks on affiliate links.”
The statement neither confirms nor denies the validity of IGN’s findings, but it does signal that Microsoft is paying close attention to the narrative forming around the game’s pre-launch performance. While the affiliate data should be taken with a grain of salt, it likely reflects purchasing intent, especially given Sony’s aggressive marketing push.
PlayStation is leaving nothing to chance with GTA 6. The company has created a custom start-up animation for the console to promote the game, a level of investment it has never made for one of its own first-party titles. That alone places the launch in unprecedented territory.
It is also worth remembering that the PS5 already boasts a larger install base, with over 94 million units sold compared to the Xbox Series X|S estimated at around 35 million. Additionally, leaked data has indicated that PlayStation is already the dominant platform for GTA 5 and GTA Online. A 6:1 or even 8:1 ratio may seem extreme, but it would not be entirely surprising if Sony’s marketing muscle and console popularity drive a decisive lead.
Ultimately, the real test will come when official sales figures are released. But for now, the war of words over pre-order data suggests both console makers are keenly aware of what this game means for their platforms.
(Source: Push Square)
