PlayStation 5 pre-orders for Grand Theft Auto 6 are significantly outpacing those on Xbox Series X/S, with new data revealing a 6-to-1 ratio in favor of Sony's console. The data, sourced from the IGN Deals account on Instagram, underscores the dominant position of the PS5 in the run-up to Rockstar's highly anticipated sequel, scheduled for release on November 19.
Marketing and Hardware Advantage
Rockstar's next installment, launching on both PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, has seen the bulk of marketing efforts directed toward Sony's platform. Sony has touted the PS5 version in a blog post, highlighting DualSense controller features and faster load times enabled by its custom SSD. Additionally, the PlayStation 5 startup animation has been redesigned exclusively for GTA 6, further emphasizing the partnership.
The pre-order disparity reflects the broader sales gap between the two consoles. As of March 2025, Sony has sold 93 million PS5 units worldwide. Microsoft, which stopped reporting console sales numbers, had sold 28.3 million Xbox Series X/S units by the end of 2024, with current estimates placing that figure around 35 million.
Xbox Game Pass Impact
Industry analysts suggest that the lower volume of Xbox pre-orders may also be influenced by the prevalence of Xbox Game Pass subscribers. GTA 6 is not launching on the subscription service, and its future availability remains uncertain. Many analysts believe that Game Pass has conditioned Xbox owners to avoid paying full price for new games, potentially depressing pre-order numbers.
Both Sony and Microsoft face headwinds as GTA 6 arrives during a period of declining hardware sales due to price hikes. Xbox prices are set to increase again in August, which could further impact sales. The question remains whether Sony can produce enough consoles to meet the anticipated demand for the title.
Market Context
Console sales have hit record lows in the US amid rising prices, a trend that could affect GTA 6's overall performance. Despite these challenges, the pre-order data suggests that the PS5 will be the primary platform for the game, with a significant majority of early purchases concentrated on Sony's system.
