Sales Analysis
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Newzoo: GTA 6 pre-orders generate $260m globally during first week of campaign
Newzoo data indicates Grand Theft Auto 6 generated approximately $260 million in global digital pre-orders during its first week, with $180 million from the US and five key European markets. The game is set to launch at $79.99 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S as a digital-only release. Newzoo forecasts potential launch week sales between $3.3 billion and $5.2 billion.
Pokemon Company document shows wanting to increase price from $60, encouraging people to buy both versions
An internal document from The Pokemon Company reveals past discussions about increasing game prices beyond $60 and encouraging players to purchase both versions of a game. The document outlines three pricing patterns considered, with a focus on maximizing sales and DLC revenue. It also details consumer purchasing habits for dual-version games like Sun/Moon and Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon, showing significant percentages of players buying both.
Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced hasn't set sail yet, but it's already doing better than Shadows on Steam
Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced has reportedly sold over 300,000 pre-order units on Steam, generating nearly $14 million in revenue ahead of its July 9th launch. This figure indicates it is on track to outperform Assassin's Creed Shadows' PC sales during its pre-release window. Ubisoft is also reportedly working on a remake of the original Assassin's Creed.
Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced "is on track to be a much-needed hit for Ubisoft," says analyst, selling 5 times the Steam copies Assassin's Creed Shadows did pre-release
Analyst Rhys Elliott suggests that the upcoming remake, Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced, is poised to be a significant success for Ubisoft, potentially revitalizing the company. Pre-release sales on Steam for Resynced have already surpassed those of Assassin's Creed Shadows and even the lifetime sales of Skull and Bones, indicating strong anticipation driven by nostalgia and the game's PC presence.
Death Stranding 2’s Sales Tell a Very Different Story Than Sony Expected
Death Stranding 2 has reportedly sold over 2 million copies across PC and PlayStation 5, a figure considered modest given the game's high production values, star-studded cast, and Hideo Kojima's involvement. While the game has achieved cultural significance and a devoted fanbase, its unique and demanding gameplay loop positions it as a niche hit rather than a mainstream blockbuster for Sony. This analysis suggests that while not a commercial mega-hit, its success as a prestige, auteur-driven title aligns with Kojima Productions' identity and Sony's support for ambitious creators.
PS5 UK sales dropped by half in May following April price hike
PlayStation 5 sales in the UK reportedly dropped by 50% in May following a price increase in April, while the Xbox Series X saw a 12% boost driven by Forza Horizon 6. The Nintendo Switch remained the top-selling console. Sony's sales decline is attributed to the price hike and a lack of major upcoming exclusives, though Grand Theft Auto 6 is expected to significantly boost hardware sales later in the year.
Engagement Ring
An analyst suggests Call of Duty's departure from last-generation consoles has reduced its sales to the smallest install base since 2017. The article mentions PlayStation as a platform.
New Report Shows PlayStation First-Party Game Sales Declining, But What’s The Full Story>
A report analyzing Sony's first-party game sales reveals a significant decline from FY20 to FY25, dropping from 58.4 million to 32.1 million units. While the number of releases has fluctuated, the analysis suggests the core issue is an increasing reliance on a few blockbuster franchises like God of War and Spider-Man, with fewer new titles emerging to fill the gap.
PS5 First-Party Sales Have Fallen Sharply, But It Doesn't Tell the Full Story
A report analyzing Sony's first-party game sales on PlayStation 5 reveals a significant drop in unit sales since FY20. However, the article argues this decline is influenced by factors such as increased game prices, fewer releases, the end of indie publishing, reduced discounting, the introduction of PS Plus Extra, and shifts in player behavior towards evergreen titles.
007 First Light’s Opening Sales “Aren’t Tracking Well”, Says Analyst
Analyst Daniel Ahmad reports that opening sales for IO Interactive's upcoming game, 007 First Light, are not tracking well, prompting the studio to employ unique marketing strategies to boost pre-orders. Ahmad compared the current audience interest to that of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle rather than Uncharted, suggesting a niche appeal beyond existing James Bond and Hitman fans. The game is set to launch on May 27th for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S, with a Nintendo Switch version planned for later in the summer.
Saros is selling worse than Returnal, analyst estimates, as it competes with hits like Crimson Desert and Resident Evil…
Analyst Rhys Elliott estimates that Housemarque's new roguelike, Saros, has sold over 300,000 copies in its first two weeks, generating over $22 million. This performance is considered weaker than its predecessor, Returnal, due to a crowded market of recent blockbuster releases. Elliott suggests Saros may struggle to break even against its reported budget exceeding $76 million.
Switch 2 outpacing original Switch after nearing 20 million sales
The Nintendo Switch 2 has surpassed the original Nintendo Switch in sales during its first full fiscal year, selling 19.86 million units worldwide since its June 2025 launch. Nintendo forecasts continued strong adoption despite expecting year-on-year sales declines in FY27. The company also reported significant success with its transmedia initiatives, including The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a "great example" of a subscription service like Xbox Game Pass likely helping…
An analyst suggests that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's inclusion in subscription services like Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus Premium contributed to its success, with the game selling over eight million copies in its first year. This is considered a significant achievement for a debut title from Sandfall Interactive in a genre that typically relies on established franchises.
Crimson Desert "on track to overtake Starfield's total lifetime copies sold by the end of the year," analyst says, as PS5 sales "not fantastic for a port of the biggest Bethesda RPG in a decade"
An analyst suggests that Crimson Desert is on track to outsell Starfield's lifetime copies by the end of the year, citing lukewarm PlayStation 5 sales for Starfield. While Starfield's PS5 port has issues, its sales are noted as faster than other recent Xbox ports, though its overall performance is attributed to a formula that may no longer resonate with players and the impact of Game Pass.
Slay the Spire 2 beats Crimson Desert and Resident Evil Requiem as March's biggest-selling game on Steam
Slay the Spire 2 reportedly topped Steam's sales charts for March, selling an estimated 5.3 million copies and generating around $108 million in revenue during its early access debut. Crimson Desert followed with 1.9 million units sold, while Climber Animals Together and Resident Evil Requiem each sold 1.2 million copies. The analysis highlights Steam's receptiveness to aggressive discounts, as seen with Resident Evil 3 Remake's strong sales driven by a 90 percent discount.
Crimson Desert has made around $200 million on its 4 million copies sold, analyst estimates, and PlayStation 5 sales…
Crimson Desert has achieved significant commercial success, selling four million copies and generating an estimated $200 million in revenue within its first two weeks. PlayStation 5 sales alone contributed $75 million to this figure, placing it among the top-selling titles on the platform. The game's positive reception on Steam, with a 'Very Positive' rating, indicates a strong recovery after a challenging initial launch.
Marathon may have sold roughly 1.2m copies worldwide, with the majority on Steam rather than PlayStation, according to analyst estimates
Marathon has reportedly sold approximately 1.2 million copies worldwide, generating over $55 million in revenue, according to analyst estimates from Alinea Analytics. The majority of sales, around 800,000, were on PC via Steam, with PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S accounting for the remainder. Despite a lower initial player retention compared to competitors, the game maintains a healthy daily active user base, particularly on Steam.
Death Stranding 2 Has the Best PC Launch for a Single-player PlayStation-First Game
Death Stranding 2 achieved a peak concurrent user count of over 55,000 on Steam within its first 24 hours, surpassing the combined launch performance of Death Stranding and its Director's Cut. This makes it the best PC launch for a single-player, PlayStation-first title, outperforming other major Sony sequels on the platform.
Xbox Only Made Up 10% of CD Projekts Total Sales in 2025
CD Projekt Group's 2025 revenue report indicates that Xbox platforms accounted for only 10% of total sales for The Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077. This suggests a significant disparity in sales performance across different gaming platforms for the company's major titles.
Resident Evil Requiem Reigns Supreme in February 2026, Circana Says
Circana's February 2026 US sales data shows Resident Evil Requiem as the top-selling game for both the month and year-to-date. NBA 2K26 and Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 followed in second and third place respectively. The PlayStation 5 was the best-selling console, with the Nintendo Switch 2 in second, as the overall hardware market saw a 22% increase.
