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Microsoft's multiplatform strategy is clearly paying dividends, as evidenced by their successful launches on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S, and PC. Sony's own PlayStation blog post for April 2025 highlighted this trend, revealing the top-selling PlayStation Store games in the U.S., Canada, and Europe.
In the U.S. and Canada, Microsoft's titles dominated the PS5's non-free-to-play download chart, with The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, Minecraft, and Forza Horizon 5 securing the top three spots. Similarly, in Europe, Forza Horizon 5 led the pack, followed by The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered and Minecraft.
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Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, backed by Microsoft for a day-one Game Pass launch and featured in Xbox showcase broadcasts, also performed well on both charts. Additionally, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 from Microsoft-owned Activision and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle from Microsoft-owned Bethesda made significant appearances.
The success of these games across platforms underscores a simple truth: quality games will top the sales charts, regardless of their origin. It's no surprise that these titles have resonated well on PlayStation, especially given the anticipation for games like Forza Horizon 5, which filled a gap in the PS5's racing genre. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered has satisfied the demand for Bethesda's signature gameplay, while Minecraft's enduring popularity has been boosted by the viral success of the Minecraft movie.
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This multiplatform approach is becoming the norm for Microsoft, as evidenced by their recent announcement of Gears of War: Reloaded, set to release on PC, Xbox, and PlayStation in August. The possibility of Halo, once an Xbox exclusive, following suit seems increasingly likely.
Microsoft's gaming chief, Phil Spencer, has emphasized that there are no "red lines" in their first-party lineup when it comes to going multiplatform, including Halo. Speaking to Bloomberg, Spencer highlighted that every Xbox game is a candidate for multiplatform release, driven by the need to generate more revenue following the $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard.
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"We run a business," Spencer stated in August, underscoring the high expectations within Microsoft to deliver substantial returns. He views the multiplatform strategy as a way to strengthen their games and expand their platform across consoles, PCs, and cloud services.
Former Xbox executive Peter Moore told IGN that the potential of bringing Halo to PlayStation has been a topic of discussion at Microsoft for some time. He suggested that if Halo could generate significantly more revenue on PlayStation, Microsoft would seriously consider the move, despite the game's iconic status within the Xbox ecosystem.
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However, Microsoft's multiplatform strategy risks alienating hardcore Xbox fans, who are already frustrated by what they perceive as a devaluation of the Xbox brand due to a lack of exclusives and Microsoft's marketing approach. While losing Halo to PlayStation might provoke further backlash, Moore emphasized that Microsoft must make business decisions that ensure the future of their gaming business and the industry as a whole. He noted that the influence of hardcore fans is diminishing as newer generations drive the market forward.
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