Microsoft’s decision to bring Xbox titles to PlayStation 5 appears to have generated significant returns for the company. A new report suggests that the software giant has earned more than $650 million in gross revenue from these releases so far.
According to a report by Alinea Analytics, several first-party Xbox titles have found an audience on Sony’s platform, indicating that the company’s multiplatform approach may be delivering financial gains even as it draws mixed reactions from its core user base.
The report comes as Xbox leadership signals a possible reassessment of its exclusivity strategy. In a recent communication, Asha Sharma and Matt Booty said, “We will reevaluate our approach to exclusivity, windowing, and AI, and share more as we learn and decide.”
How Xbox games on PlayStation are showing major demand
Data from Alinea Analytics shows that Forza Horizon 5 led performance on PS5, generating about $323 million in revenue from 5.8 million copies sold. Sea of Thieves followed with around 2.7 million units sold and close to $100 million in revenue, while The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered reached 1.2 million copies and $58 million in revenue.
Other titles such as Grounded also contributed, with about 770,000 copies sold and $24 million in revenue. In total, 13 Xbox first-party titles crossed 100,000 units on PlayStation, generating an estimated $667 million in revenue. Analyst Rhys Elliott said the data points to a “demonstrated audience” for Xbox titles on Sony’s platform, adding that “Microsoft needs to put its software where the players actually are.”
Despite the revenue gains, the broader strategy remains under discussion. Elliott described recent messaging from Xbox leadership as “a temporary appeasement strategy for the Xbox core. Optics,” suggesting that changes to exclusivity may be gradual rather than immediate.
At the same time, Sharma indicated that future decisions will take time, stating the company would adopt a “data-driven approach and a strategic-driven approach” and aim to make “the right decision, not the fastest decision.”
Microsoft has said its shift toward releasing games on more platforms is intended to reach players beyond traditional console boundaries. But it’s been met with criticism from some long-time Xbox users who see it as a move away from exclusivity.
Until then, the success of Xbox titles on PlayStation suggests that an extension to competitors’ platforms could still be part of the company’s evolving gaming plans.
