- Starfield debuted at no.16 on the PS5 best-sellers chart on its launch day.
- The game’s underperformance was due to a discount on some major hitters like GTA 5, Arc Raiders, NBA 2K26, and Call of Duty.
- Furthermore, newer titles like Crimson Desert also stole the spotlight from the Bethesda RPG.
Microsoft has backed Starfield’s launch on PS5 with a decent marketing campaign and a massive update that adds another layer to the RPG. The Bethesda title started really well on the PlayStation Store, topping the pre-order charts ahead of the upcoming PS5 exclusive Saros.
After its rather underwhelming original release a few years back, Microsoft is hoping that this port will rejuvenate Starfield. However, on its sales debut, the game didn’t even manage to crack the top 10 of the sales chart.
Why it matters: Despite a humongous update, new story content, and a new port, Bethesda has once again failed to put fresh life into Starfield despite trying its hardest.
According to Derek Strickland, Starfield was the 16th best-selling title on the PlayStation Store on its launch day of April 7, 2026. The game didn’t make the top 15 of the best-sellers chart, although 5 free games did rank ahead of the RPG.
A big reason for this underperformance is the discounted titles on the PSN outselling Starfield due to price cuts. NBA 2K26, Call of Duty Black Ops 7, EA Sports FC 26, GTA 5, Arc Raiders, and EA Sports Madden NFL 26 are all on sale and are ahead of the Bethesda title in the sales charts resultantly.
Furthermore, competition from newer titles is also hurting Starfield’s sales, with both Crimson Desert and MLB The Show 26 stealing the spotlight from the RPG’s release on the PlayStation 5.
Regardless, Microsoft would have expected the game to perform better, considering that it’s launching with a new story DLC and fresh content.
Forza Horizon 5 still remains the best-selling title published by Xbox on PS5, and if Starfield doesn’t pick up pace, the racing simulator will hold the record for the foreseeable future.
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Shameer Sarfaraz has previously worked for eXputer as a Senior News Writer for several years. Now with Tech4Gamers, he loves to devoutly keep up with the latest gaming and entertainment industries. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science and years of experience reporting on games. Besides his passion for breaking news stories, Shahmeer loves spending his leisure time farming away in Stardew Valley. VGC, IGN, GameSpot, Game Rant, TheGamer, GamingBolt, The Verge, NME, Metro, Dot Esports, GameByte, Kotaku Australia, PC Gamer, and more have cited his articles.
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