Xbox Responds to Claims of Higher PlayStation Pre-order Interest for GTA 6

Xbox has formally contested recent reports suggesting that Grand Theft Auto 6 pre-orders on PlayStation 5 are outpacing those on Xbox Series X by an 8-to-1 margin. Despite the circulating headlines, representatives for the gaming giant claim that the title has actually achieved “record orders” across Xbox storefronts.

The controversy ignited shortly after pre-orders went live on June 25. By the following day, IGN reported via its “IGN Finds” affiliate program that its internal data suggested a massive disparity in consumer interest, stating that PlayStation pre-order links were converting at an 8-to-1 ratio compared to their Xbox counterparts.

Xbox addressed the claim directly in a statement to Windows Central, clarifying that affiliate click-through rates are not a substitute for actual sales figures. “This doesn’t represent pre-order data,” an Xbox representative asserted. “We’ve seen record orders. People should rely on verified sales data rather than affiliate link metrics.”

Because neither Rockstar Games, Take-Two Interactive, nor the console manufacturers have released official sales statistics, the current narrative remains speculative. Xbox’s pushback appears to be a strategic move to project strength as the competition between the two consoles intensifies leading up to the game’s release.

This situation serves as a cautionary tale regarding the reliance on unofficial metrics. Grand Theft Auto 6 has been a lightning rod for misinformation and unverified rumors, including persistent debates over whether Rockstar will provide a physical disc release for the title.

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Until official numbers are disclosed by publishers or platform holders following the November 19 launch, the true performance of GTA 6 across different consoles remains a matter of conjecture.

Source: Polygon