Xbox is reportedly aware of pre-orders for Rockstar Games’ upcoming open-world action-adventure game, GTA VI, being heavily skewed toward PS5.
According to The Verge’s Tom Warren, the major imbalance between PS5 and Xbox Series X|S pre-orders of GTA VI is raising concerns internally at Microsoft about the state of its gaming platform and hardware business. The report comes at a turbulent time for Xbox, with Microsoft continuing a major restructuring of its gaming division. The console maker recently announced another 268 job cuts across its gaming division, while also reorganizing studios and franchises. These changes follow multiple rounds of layoffs and studio closures that have significantly reshaped Xbox’s first-party organization.
Sources at Xbox told Warren that the game’s pre-orders are “heavily skewed toward PS5.” The difference is said to be significant enough to be viewed internally as another alarm bell for Xbox. The reported difference in pre-order stats between the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S versions of GTA VI is another warning sign for Microsoft’s hardware strategy. The upcoming title is among the most anticipated games in the industry, and its launch is expected to generate enormous engagement when it arrives later this year.
UPDATE: Xbox Chief Strategy Officer Matthew Ball reached out to Warren on Twitter/X, informing him that the company is pleased with GTA VI pre-orders, as the game is “breaking records.” He added that, based on an internal analysis, the share of Xbox pre-orders are matching its share of the console market. Warren responded to Ball’s post, asking, “What’s your share of the console market?”
Xbox hardware revenue has declined for three consecutive years. At the same time, rising memory costs are putting additional pressure on the price of Microsoft’s current-gen consoles.
Grand Theft Auto VI is set for release on November 19, 2026, for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
