Microsoft has pushed back against reports suggesting that Grand Theft Auto 6 is selling eight times as many copies on PlayStation 5 as on Xbox Series X/S. A spokesperson for Microsoft stated that the figures, originating from a community poll shared by IGN, "doesn't represent pre-order data" and that the company has seen "record orders" for the highly anticipated title. Microsoft advised waiting for official sales figures rather than relying on data derived from affiliate links and community engagement.
The exchange follows the recent opening of pre-orders for Grand Theft Auto 6. Alongside pre-order availability, details regarding the game's pricing have been revealed, alongside some controversy surrounding reports that physical editions may not include a disc, instead offering a download code. This has sparked debate among consumers about digital ownership and the potential impact on the resale market.
Further reports have also cast doubt on the likelihood of a physical disc version of Grand Theft Auto 6 being released later this year. While some hoped for a physical edition with a disc to launch in December, sources cited by The Hollywood Reporter suggest that initial interpretations of communication from Rockstar Games have been mistaken, and that "the language is being misinterpreted by a hopeful internet."
Grand Theft Auto 6 is scheduled to launch on November 19th for both PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series S/X.