Yesterday, a report by Ampere Analysis revealed that Electronic Arts, not Activision Blizzard, is the top video game publisher on Xbox and PlayStation, echoing a claim made by Microsoft to regulators. In the same report, it was revealed that PlayStation players give Microsoft an edge over Sony when it comes to monthly active users (MAUs).
How PlayStation players boost Microsoft’s MAUs
Surprisingly, despite having far fewer consoles in the market, Microsoft has more MAUs than Sony. According to Ampere Analysis, between September 2022 to February 2023, Sony overtook Microsoft only once and it was around the time God of War Ragnarok released.
In a statement to IGN, analyst Piers Harding-Rolls revealed that this is because a large number of PlayStation players are playing Minecraft, which is owned by Microsoft. Apparently 35 percent of users playing Microsoft games (which includes acquired properties) are actually on PlayStation.
Harding-Rolls further explained the implications of Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard. According to him, the merger – which will result in Activision Blizzard appearing as Microsoft going forward – will challenge EA’s lead as the top console publisher, with Microsoft “potentially having a share over two times that of Sony.”
Many have suggested that Sony should purchase EA in the inevitable consolidation wars following the Activision Blizzard merger.
