Xbox has pushed back against a report that GTA 6 preorders are “heavily skewed” toward PlayStation 5, insisting its own numbers show preorders matching its share of the console market.
The Verge’s Tom Warren reported this week that the PS5’s lead over Xbox Series X and S on GTA 6 preorders was “ringing yet more alarm bells” about Xbox as a platform. But Xbox CSO Matthew Ball told The Verge directly that Microsoft is “very happy” with the preorder picture.
“Tom, we are very happy with GTA VI pre-orders. The title is breaking records for XBOX, we expect even more records will be broken throughout the fall, and our internal analysis shows our share of preorders to be matching our share of the console market.”
The Numbers That Aren’t There
Microsoft hasn’t announced Xbox Series X and S sales in years. The last figure came as of June 30, when analysts estimated PS5 had sold more than 95 million units.
Analysts suggest the PS5 outsells the combined Xbox Series range by at least a 2:1 ratio. If that holds, there would likely be twice as many GTA 6 preorders for PS5 than for Xbox consoles.
Ball’s claim rests on Microsoft’s own internal data. But without public Xbox sales figures, there’s no independent way to check whether his share matches hold up.
Sony’s Full Court Press
The skew reflects Sony’s promotional push for GTA 6. Sony and Rockstar’s partnership has been aggressive.
GTA 6 gameplay trailers focus on the PS5 version. The PS5 appears in marketing materials for the game. Sony has even built a custom GTA 6 user interface for its console.
Sony has published blog posts detailing which PS5 features GTA 6 will use, including the DualSense controller’s speaker and haptic feedback. Marketing materials include a version of the PlayStation app logo on smartphones featuring GTA 6 colors and pale tree fronds.
With PlayStation promoting the game this way, a preorder lead for PS5 isn’t surprising.
What the Verge Report Also Said
Warren’s report went beyond preorders. It suggested the Xbox “reset,” led by new CEO Asha Sharma, might be about making Xbox easier to spin off or operate as a wholly owned subsidiary.
That idea comes from prior reports elsewhere, not from Microsoft itself.
GTA 6 launches on PS5 and Xbox Series X and S only on November 19.
Comparing the Two Positions
| Xbox Position | PlayStation Position | |
|---|---|---|
| Preorder share claim | Matching Xbox’s console market share | Not addressed in source |
| Sales figures | None announced in years | 95 million PS5 units sold |
| Promotional focus | Not detailed | Heavy, including custom UI |
| Launch platforms | PS5 and Xbox Series X and S | PS5 and Xbox Series X and S |
The Verdict on Xbox’s Claim
Xbox’s position rests on its own data. If its share of GTA 6 preorders matches its share of the console market, then the distribution looks fair.
But the context matters. Sony’s promotion is heavy. And the 2:1 sales gap suggests far more PS5 owners could preorder than Xbox owners.
Without Xbox sales figures, the comparison is incomplete. Microsoft’s claim rests on data it won’t show.
The PS5 lead on GTA 6 preorders is probably real. Whether it troubles Xbox depends on whether Microsoft can close the gap before launch.
Source material: “Xbox Says Its Share of GTA 6 Preorders Matches Its Share of the Console Market, Following PS5 Dominance Claim,” IGN.
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