- Xbox console players will “flatline” at 42 million by the end of 2025, according to Omdia’s research.
- This number is roughly three times less than PlayStation’s active console users.
- Microsoft’s focus on incorporating the Xbox brand on PC and other platforms is partly the cause of this.
Xbox has undergone a major rebrand this generation, going from PlayStation’s only competition to a software giant making millions by porting games to other platforms. Fans haven’t been big on this new software-focused approach to the business, but there is no doubt it has brought in results for the company.
However, even though sales numbers have increased, hardware sales have only decreased, and now a new report suggests that Xbox console players will flatline by the end of this year.
Why This Matters: Going from one of the biggest hitters in the console market to partial death in a decade is a sad decline for Xbox consoles and not good for the wider industry.
According to Game Developer’s key takeaways from Gamescom 2025, active Xbox users will stagnate at around 42 million at the end of 2025. This number comes from research done by Omdia and its Games Market Metric Database, with the article indicating that Xbox confirmed its shift away from consoles at Gamescom, putting more focus on PC.
The company is set to release a Windows PC experience that mimics the Xbox UI and incorporates the Xbox storefront in addition to other libraries like Steam, while also partnering with Asus to release the ROG Xbox Ally. Hence, it does feel like Microsoft is leaving Xbox hardware in the dust and merging the brand with the much wider PC market.
PlayStation, on the other hand, currently has 123 million active users across the PS4 and PS5, which is roughly three times more than the number of players Xbox will flatline at.
Microsoft wants to reach a billion players worldwide, and with the pillars of its brand, Xbox consoles and Game Pass, declining in pace, shifting focus to a platform that already has a billion players seems like the smartest move. However, it does signify that Xbox consoles are now an afterthought rather than being the company’s main focus.
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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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