GTA 6 Sales Data Shows PS5 Pre-Orders Beating Xbox 8-to-1
Fresh sales analysis is pointing to a clear trend for Grand Theft Auto 6: PS5 pre-orders are reportedly moving far faster than the Xbox version—by a ratio of eight to one—an outcome that lines up with Rockstar’s messaging that the game “plays best” on PlayStation hardware.
For a while, it’s been hard to miss the sense that Rockstar and PlayStation have a close arrangement around GTA 6. Trailer 2 was filmed entirely on PS5, PlayStation has been actively encouraging players to upgrade to a newer console ahead of launch, and multiple reports have suggested Sony treats the title like a first-party release, even without making that status official.
That relationship became even more visible earlier this week when GTA 6 pre-orders finally went live. PlayStation leaned hard into the rollout, including changes to its mobile app icon and a brand-new splash screen. It also partnered with Rockstar to emphasize that GTA 6 “plays best” on PS5 and PS5 Pro—making it easier to understand why one platform is currently showing stronger pre-order momentum.
IGN Data Claims GTA 6 On PS5 Is Outselling Xbox 8 To 1
That Was Always Going To Be The Case, Let’s Be Real
Rockstar and Take-Two haven’t released any official details about how GTA 6 pre-orders are performing. Still, one widely cited snapshot suggests a major gap between platforms. Through IGN Finds and its commerce affiliate linking approach, the available data indicates that the PS5 version is outperforming Xbox by an eight-to-one margin.
That number may have shifted upward in recent days. IGN Finds previously reported a smaller gap—six-to-one—before the latest figures surfaced.
Even with that caveat, the basic takeaway isn’t especially surprising. The “plays best” positioning for PlayStation, plus the broader PS5 install base compared to Xbox Series, naturally points toward higher overall sales for Sony’s platform. And while GTA 6 is expected to pull in both casual players and long-time hardcore fans, platform audience size still matters when you’re looking at pre-orders.
There’s also an interesting context piece here: it’s notable because just a couple of mainline entries ago, Xbox was widely viewed as the stronger fit for Rockstar’s releases. So while the outcome tracks with the newest messaging and market realities, seeing the PS5 lead highlighted so sharply still lands with some surprise.
Xbox Has Refuted The Claims And Said To “Wait For Real Data”
In a rare move for Xbox—especially when it comes to sales talk—Windows Central reported that an Xbox spokesperson has responded to the IGN claim. The spokesperson argued that IGN’s numbers “doesn’t represent pre-order data,” pointing instead to “record orders” on Xbox.
Xbox also urged people to “wait for real data and not clicks on affiliate links.” That line reinforces the same concern raised earlier: affiliate-based metrics may not fully reflect every retailer’s pre-order activity. Even so, the expectation remains that GTA 6 is likely selling more on PlayStation given the larger audience and the way PS5 has been positioned around the game.
Where To Play
The “Ultimate” edition of GTA 6 should be renamed the “Full Game” edition.
