According to GameSpot, analyst Rhys Elliott’s Alinea Insight newsletter reveals PlayStation 5 games achieved massive sales in October 2025 despite concerns about Xbox’s future. Battlefield 6 led with 3.2 million copies sold, followed by EA Sports FC 26 at 3 million and Ghost of Yotei at 2.7 million. These three titles alone combined for nearly 9 million sales, demonstrating continued consumer demand for major console releases. Microsoft’s strategy of publishing former Xbox exclusives on PlayStation is paying off, with Minecraft and Grand Theft Auto 5 placing fourth and seventh respectively in the monthly charts. EA Sports dominated with three titles in the top 10, while Take-Two’s NBA 2K26 sold 564,000 copies to secure the fifth position.
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Console narrative vs reality
Here’s the thing that really stands out from this data – we’re constantly hearing about how consoles are dying, how mobile is taking over, how cloud gaming will make hardware irrelevant. But the numbers tell a completely different story. Three games selling nearly 9 million copies in a single month? On a platform that’s been out for years? That’s not a dying market – that’s a thriving ecosystem.
Elliott’s frustration with the “CoNsOlE iS DeAd” narrative feels completely justified when you look at these figures. We’re not talking about modest success here – we’re talking about blockbuster-level sales that would make any entertainment executive jealous. And remember, this is just PlayStation 5 we’re looking at. This doesn’t include Xbox, Nintendo, or PC sales for these titles.
Microsoft’s shifting strategy
What’s fascinating is how Microsoft seems to be acknowledging this reality even as their own hardware struggles. They’re putting former exclusives like Minecraft and presumably future titles on PlayStation because they recognize where the audience actually is. It’s a smart business move, honestly. Why limit your potential sales to one platform when you can tap into PlayStation’s massive install base?
But this creates an interesting paradox. If Xbox games sell better on PlayStation, and PlayStation continues to dominate hardware sales, what exactly is the value proposition for buying an Xbox console? Microsoft appears to be transitioning into a third-party publisher that happens to also make hardware, rather than a platform holder fighting for market share. It’s a fundamental shift in strategy that we haven’t really seen in console gaming before.
Live services dominate
Another trend that jumps out from the sales data is the enduring power of live service games. Look at Grand Theft Auto 5 – a game that launched in 2013 still cracking the top 10 in 2025. That’s absolutely wild when you think about it. Minecraft’s continued presence shows the same pattern. These aren’t just games – they’re platforms themselves, constantly refreshed with new content that keeps players engaged and spending.
And EA’s sports titles? They’re the ultimate live service model, with annual updates that function more like subscription services than traditional game purchases. The fact that three different versions of their football franchise made the top 10 tells you everything about how this model works. Basically, games aren’t one-and-done purchases anymore – they’re ongoing relationships with players.
What this means for gaming
So where does this leave us? Console gaming isn’t dying – it’s evolving. The business models are changing, the platform strategies are shifting, but the demand for high-quality, big-budget gaming experiences on dedicated hardware remains incredibly strong. The success of single-player titles like Ghost of Yotei alongside live service giants suggests there’s room for multiple approaches.
The real question isn’t whether consoles will survive, but what form they’ll take in the coming years. Will we see more platform-agnostic publishing from traditional hardware makers? Will subscription services eventually overtake individual game sales? One thing’s for sure – based on these October 2025 numbers, reports of console gaming’s death have been greatly exaggerated.
