Xbox just released a PlayStation console “exclusive” and it’s beating GTA 6 on the charts — here’s why fans aren’t happy
Microsoft and Activision have ported Call of Duty: Black Ops 1 and 2 to PlayStation 5, surprising the gaming community with an unexpected move in platform strategy. The ports have proven remarkably popular with PlayStation players, ranking highly on PS5 sales charts and even surpassing Grand Theft Auto 6 in sales performance. This success among PlayStation fans underscores significant demand for these classic titles on Sony’s platform.
The situation presents an ironic contradiction for Xbox players and Microsoft fans. The company previously emphasized its intention to develop more console exclusives to strengthen the Xbox platform’s competitive position. Yet this release does the opposite—these Call of Duty titles are now exclusive to PlayStation rather than exclusive to Xbox. Previously, these older Call of Duty entries were unavailable on modern PlayStation systems, accessible only through PC or Xbox backwards compatibility.
While the move satisfies PlayStation’s player base by filling a gap in their library, it has generated disappointment among Xbox fans who interpreted Microsoft’s exclusivity goals as benefiting their platform. The decision highlights tensions in Microsoft’s gaming strategy between maintaining its own platform exclusives and leveraging its publisher control over popular multiplatform franchises.