GTA VI on PS5 8 Times More Requested Than on Xbox? Microsoft Disagrees

The opening of pre-orders for Grand Theft Auto 6 has immediately sparked a comparison between PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, even before the game's release scheduled for November 19, 2026. Analysts have indicated that the new chapter of the Rockstar series is poised to become the biggest launch in entertainment history and in the video game sector in terms of revenue.

The title will initially be available only on consoles, without a PC version on day one. Interested users will then be able to choose between PlayStation 5, PlayStation 5 Pro, and Xbox Series X|S. The starting price for pre-orders is set at $80 (82 euros in Italy).

Through IGN Finds' and commerce affiliate linking program, the data shows that PlayStation is outperforming Xbox by a rate of 8-to-1. Link in bio for more on GTA's effect on console sales.

According to data collected through IGN's affiliate program, pre-orders for the PlayStation 5 version are higher than those for the Xbox consoles at a ratio of eight to one. In practice, for every pre-order made on Xbox, eight would be registered on PS5.

However, this data represents only the traffic and purchases monitored by the IGN community and does not reflect the entire market. Regardless, the spread of this statistic on social media has triggered the inevitable console war and fostered the idea of a clear dominance of the Sony platform.

Microsoft was quick to respond with a statement to Windows Central. "These do not represent pre-order data. We have recorded record orders. People should wait for the real data and not rely on affiliate links."

The advantage of PlayStation in the data published by IGN is not entirely surprising. The installed base of PS5 consoles is indeed much larger than that of Xbox Series consoles, a factor that will inevitably influence the number of pre-orders. Additionally, the promotional campaign for the game is accompanied by messages emphasizing an optimized experience on PlayStation 5, a factor that may have contributed to reinforcing user preference.

However, for now, there are no official data available to compare the ratio between the two consoles. We are certain that PlayStation 5 is recording a higher volume, but an 8 times difference could be a bit too wide and unrealistic. Consequently, it will be necessary to wait for any official communications to know the actual distribution of pre-orders between PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.