Claims GTA 6 is selling 8 times as many copies on PS5 as Xbox “doesn’t represent pre-order data”, insists Microsoft
On June 27, IGN reported data suggesting PlayStation 5 pre-orders for Grand Theft Auto 6 significantly outpaced Xbox Series X/S orders, with a claimed 8-to-1 ratio. The data came from IGN’s Finds community and commerce affiliate linking program, which tracks purchase links and consumer behavior.
Microsoft swiftly disputed the findings, asserting that the figures do not represent actual pre-order data. In a statement to Windows Central, Xbox representatives argued that affiliate link tracking is not representative of real-world pre-order performance and claimed Microsoft has achieved “record orders” for the title on its platform.
The dispute underscores ongoing competition between PlayStation and Xbox in the console market, with GTA 6 representing one of the most anticipated releases of 2025. While IGN’s methodology relied on tracking affiliate links—which may skew toward specific user demographics or purchasing behaviors—Microsoft’s assertion that comprehensive pre-order data tells a different story remains unverified by official figures.
Microsoft urged consumers to “wait for real data and not clicks on affiliate links,” suggesting that official sales and pre-order metrics would provide clarity once released. Both platform holders’ claims remain unsubstantiated by third-party verification or official disclosures, leaving the actual distribution of GTA 6 pre-orders across platforms unclear.