# Examining Microsoft’s Cross-Platform Triumph: Sales Figures of Xbox Games on PlayStation 5
Concrete sales data in the gaming world is frequently hard to come by, as companies tend to spotlight select success narratives while leaving many aspects of overall market performance unaddressed. Alinea Analytics has recently released sales estimates intended to shed light on how Microsoft exclusives transitioned to the PlayStation 5 have been faring. This analysis offers insight into the effectiveness of Microsoft’s approach in advocating for cross-platform releases.
## Major Insights from Alinea Analytics
The report highlights 13 particular games that have reportedly exceeded 100,000 copies sold each on PlayStation 5 since their launch. Importantly, it does not include popular franchises like *Call of Duty* or legacy titles developed for the PS5 prior to Microsoft’s acquisition. The focus is on newer titles and their financial success on competing hardware. The following list displays the leading performers among games ported in the last two years:
1. **Forza Horizon 5** – 5.8 million copies
2. **Sea of Thieves** – 2.7 million copies
3. **Oblivion Remastered** – 1.2 million copies
4. **Grounded** – 770,000 copies
5. **Gears of War: Reloaded** – 684,000 copies
6. **Doom: The Dark Ages** – 567,000 copies
7. **Indiana Jones and the Great Circle** – 537,000 copies
8. **Ninja Gaiden 4** – 262,000 copies
9. **Microsoft Flight Simulator** – 252,000 copies
10. **Starfield** – 207,000 copies
11. **Age of Empires 2 Remastered** – 173,000 copies
12. **The Outer Worlds 2** – 163,000 copies
13. **Age of Mythology Retold** – 123,000 copies
As per estimates from Alinea Analytics, these titles collectively accrued roughly $667 million in gross revenue for Microsoft, accounting for platform-specific deductions, indicating profits of about $200 million.
## Observations on Performance and Approach
From these numbers, various observations can be made regarding Microsoft’s strategy of moving away from exclusivity. *Forza Horizon* has emerged as a prominent franchise, solidifying its appeal within the Xbox portfolio. Likewise, multiplayer games have thrived, likely enhanced by cross-play features that draw a varied player base to titles like *Sea of Thieves* and *Grounded*.
On the flip side, *Starfield’s* performance prompts inquiries. It has fallen short in comparison to older strategy games like *Age of Empires 2* and *Age of Mythology*, leading to speculation about its limited attractiveness. While some titles released simultaneously enjoy success, Microsoft’s overall achievement with the cross-platform strategy may not fully match initial expectations.
## The Situation with Gears of War: Reloaded
One title worth noting is *Gears of War: Reloaded*, which sold 684,000 copies. Given its heritage as a long-standing franchise, expectations were higher for its performance on the PS5. The remaster, launched mid-summer, performed reasonably well, yet it raises questions about the franchise’s future on competing platforms. If Microsoft chooses to retain the next chapter, *Gears of War: E-Day*, as exclusive, it may miss out on further financial prospects.
## Final Thoughts: Evaluating Cross-Platform Strategy
These estimates from Alinea Analytics provide a complex view of Microsoft’s ongoing cross-platform initiatives. It raises the question of whether simultaneous release strategies would enhance sales or if the initial enthusiasm surrounding Xbox titles on PlayStation is diminishing. As new leadership under Xbox CEO Asha Sharma reevaluates approaches, the potential profitability of cross-platform releases remains a multifaceted discussion, suggesting that successes might not be as straightforward as they once appeared.
