Xbox Challenges GTA 6 Sales Claims Amid Industry Concerns

WHO:

Video Games Chronicle - PlayStation has started rebranding its console dashboards and mobile app to mark the opening of pre-orders for Grand Theft Auto 6.

Video Games Chronicle - Xbox spokesperson refuted claims about GTA 6 sales.

Creative Bloq - Rockstar Games is the developer of Grand Theft Auto 6.

WHAT:

Video Games Chronicle - An Xbox spokesperson stated, “People should wait for real data and not clicks on affiliate links,” in response to claims about GTA 6 sales.

Creative Bloq - Pre-orders for GTA 6 have caused warnings of console shortages from both Sony and Microsoft as demand for PS5s and Xboxes increases.

Creative Bloq - The game will be available in a Standard Edition priced at $79.99 and an Ultimate Edition priced at $99.99.

Creative Bloq - Pre-orders before 20 November will include a Vintage Vice City Pack, which features a classic car (the ’55 Vapid Stanier), a personal garage, themed outfits for Jason and Lucia, and tropical weapon skins.

Eurogamer - A post shared on social media by IGN claimed that the PS5 version of GTA 6 was selling eight times more copies than the Xbox Series X/S version, based on the site’s affiliate link data.

Eurogamer - Microsoft stated, “This doesn't represent pre-order data. We've had record orders. People should wait for real data and not clicks on affiliate links.”

Creative Bloq - Pre-orders for GTA 6 opened on a Thursday.

Creative Bloq - Pre-orders for GTA 6 are causing warnings of console shortages from both Sony and Microsoft.

Video Games Chronicle - An Xbox spokesperson stated, “This doesn’t represent pre-order data. We’ve had record orders. People should wait for real data and not clicks on affiliate links.”

Creative Bloq - Pre-orders for GTA 6 have caused warnings of console shortages from both Sony and Microsoft as demand for PS5s and Xboxes increases.

Eurogamer - Microsoft emphasized that they have received record orders for GTA 6.

Creative Bloq - Pre-orders for GTA 6 opened recently.

Creative Bloq - The game will be available in a Standard Edition priced at $79.99 and an Ultimate Edition priced at $99.99.

Creative Bloq - GTA 6 will not have a physical disc; it will be shipped as a code in a box.

Creative Bloq - Pre-orders before 20 November will include a Vintage Vice City Pack.

Eurogamer - Microsoft stated that the claims of the PS5 version of GTA 6 outselling the Xbox version by 8 to 1 are based on affiliate data and do not represent actual pre-order data.

Eurogamer - Microsoft emphasized that they have received record orders for GTA 6.

Creative Bloq - Pre-orders for GTA 6 have caused warnings of console shortages from both Sony and Microsoft as demand for PS5s and Xboxes increases.

Creative Bloq - Pre-orders for GTA 6 before 20 November will include a Vintage Vice City Pack, which features a classic car (the ’55 Vapid Stanier), a personal garage, themed outfits for Jason and Lucia, and tropical weapon skins.

Video Games Chronicle - An Xbox spokesperson stated, “This doesn’t represent pre-order data. We’ve had record orders. People should wait for real data and not clicks on affiliate links.”

Creative Bloq - Pre-orders for GTA 6 have caused warnings of console shortages from both Sony and Microsoft as demand for PS5s and Xboxes increases.

Creative Bloq - The main story of GTA 6 is expected to take around 70 hours to complete, with numerous side missions available.

Video Games Chronicle - Xbox denied claims that the PS5 version of GTA 6 outsold the Xbox Series X/S version by 8 to 1.

Video Games Chronicle - Pre-orders for GTA 6 opened recently.

Creative Bloq - GTA 6 will be available in a Standard Edition priced at $79.99 and an Ultimate Edition priced at $99.99.

Creative Bloq - GTA 6 will not have a physical disc; it will be shipped as a code in a box.

Creative Bloq - Pre-orders before 20 November will include a Vintage Vice City Pack.

WHERE:

Video Games Chronicle - The claims about sales were based on data from IGN's affiliate link program.

Creative Bloq - The game will be available on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S.

WHEN:

Creative Bloq - GTA 6 is set to launch on 19 November.

Creative Bloq - Pre-orders for GTA 6 opened on a Thursday.

WHY:

Creative Bloq - Industry analysts believe the decision to release GTA 6 without a disc is indicative of a shift towards digital-only gaming, which may upset some players but will not significantly impact sales.

Creative Bloq - Industry analysts believe the decision to release GTA 6 without a disc is indicative of a shift towards digital-only gaming.

Screen Rant - Fans have expressed outrage over the pricing of GTA 6, with some labeling it as "greedy" due to the $100 price tag for the Ultimate Edition.

Video Games Chronicle - Industry analysts believe the decision to release GTA 6 without a disc is indicative of a shift towards digital-only gaming, which may upset some players but will not significantly impact sales.

Video Games Chronicle - Xbox stated that affiliate data should not be presented as the full picture and emphasized the importance of waiting for real data.

Creative Bloq - The decision to release GTA 6 without a disc is seen as a move towards maximizing revenue and reducing the likelihood of leaks.

HOW:

Creative Bloq - Pre-orders for GTA 6 before 20 November will include a code for a Vintage Vice City Pack, which features a classic car, a personal garage, themed outfits, and tropical weapon skins, along with one free month of the premium online service GTA+.

Creative Bloq - Pre-orders serve as a marketing tool and financial strategy for Rockstar, helping to gauge consumer interest and lock in revenue.

Creative Bloq - Pre-orders for GTA 6 before 20 November will include a Vintage Vice City Pack, which features a classic car, a personal garage, themed outfits, and tropical weapon skins.

Video Games Chronicle - Xbox spokesperson indicated that record orders have been received.

Creative Bloq - Pre-orders serve as a marketing tool and financial strategy for Rockstar, helping to gauge consumer interest and lock in revenue.

(UPDATED June 29, 2026 17:47 UTC)

GTA 6 is set to launch on November 19, and pre-orders are already causing warnings of console shortages from both Sony and Microsoft due to the increased demand for PS5s and Xboxes. The game will be available in a Standard Edition priced at $79.99 and an Ultimate Edition for $99.99, with pre-orders before November 20 including a Vintage Vice City Pack featuring a classic car and themed outfits. An Xbox spokesperson has advised that people should wait for real data regarding sales rather than relying on affiliate links, as industry analysts suggest that the decision to release the game without a disc reflects a growing trend towards digital-only gaming.

(UPDATED June 29, 2026 14:16 UTC)

A recent post by IGN claims that the PS5 version of GTA 6 is selling eight times more copies than the Xbox Series X/S version, but Microsoft has responded, stating that this does not reflect pre-order data and urging consumers to wait for more reliable information. Pre-orders for GTA 6, which opened on a Thursday, are already raising concerns about potential console shortages from both Sony and Microsoft, as the game is set to launch on November 19. Those who pre-order before November 20 will receive a code for the Vintage Vice City Pack, which includes a classic car, themed outfits, and a month of the premium online service GTA+.

(UPDATED June 29, 2026 10:19 UTC)

Pre-orders for the highly anticipated GTA 6 have opened recently, leading to warnings of console shortages from both Sony and Microsoft as demand for PS5s and Xboxes surges. Microsoft has reported record orders for the game, which will be available in a Standard Edition priced at $79.99 and an Ultimate Edition for $99.99, but it will not include a physical disc; instead, it will be shipped as a code in a box. Fans have voiced their frustration over the pricing, particularly for the Ultimate Edition, which some have described as "greedy," while pre-orders made before November 20 will include a Vintage Vice City Pack.

(UPDATED June 29, 2026 01:37 UTC)

Microsoft has clarified that claims suggesting the PS5 version of GTA 6 is outselling the Xbox version by eight to one are based on affiliate data and do not reflect actual pre-order figures, while also noting they have received record orders for the game. Both Sony and Microsoft are warning of potential console shortages as demand for PS5s and Xboxes surges due to the excitement surrounding GTA 6, which has sparked outrage among fans over its $100 price tag for the Ultimate Edition. Pre-orders placed before November 20 will include a code for the Vintage Vice City Pack, featuring a classic car, a personal garage, themed outfits, tropical weapon skins, and a complimentary month of the premium online service GTA+.

(UPDATED June 28, 2026 23:15 UTC)

PlayStation has begun rebranding its console dashboards and mobile app in anticipation of pre-orders for Grand Theft Auto 6, which have sparked warnings of potential console shortages from both Sony and Microsoft due to rising demand for PS5s and Xboxes. Those who pre-order GTA 6 before November 20 will receive a Vintage Vice City Pack, featuring a classic car, a personal garage, themed outfits for characters Jason and Lucia, and tropical weapon skins. Industry analysts suggest that the decision to release GTA 6 without a disc reflects a shift towards digital-only gaming, a move that may not please all players but is unlikely to affect overall sales significantly.

(UPDATED June 28, 2026 21:15 UTC)

In a significant development for gamers, pre-orders for GTA 6 have sparked warnings of console shortages from both Sony and Microsoft, as demand for PS5s and Xboxes surges. An Xbox spokesperson emphasized that the current figures do not reflect actual pre-order data, urging people to wait for verified statistics instead of relying on affiliate link clicks. Players who pre-order GTA 6 before November 20 will receive a Vintage Vice City Pack, which includes a classic car, a personal garage, themed outfits, and tropical weapon skins, while the main story of the game is expected to take around 70 hours to complete with plenty of side missions.

(UPDATED June 28, 2026 19:18 UTC)

An Xbox spokesperson has refuted claims that the PS5 version of Grand Theft Auto 6 outsold the Xbox Series X/S version by eight to one, stating that the affiliate data used to support these claims does not provide the full picture. Pre-orders for GTA 6 recently opened, with the game set to launch on November 19, and it will be available in a Standard Edition priced at $79.99 and an Ultimate Edition for $99.99, shipped as a code in a box without a physical disc. Pre-orders made before November 20 will include a Vintage Vice City Pack, and Rockstar is using this strategy to gauge consumer interest and secure revenue.