Recent data reveals a surge in PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S console sales in the UK after the highly-anticipated unveiling of Grand Theft Auto 6 on Netflix last week.
According to a report by The Games Business, Nielsen IQ data indicates a 33% increase in PS5 sales and a 34% growth in Xbox console sales.
The demand for PS5 Pro consoles has surged nationwide, with reports from The Independent stating that retailers like Argos and Smyths Toys are now left with only the base models in stock.
Despite the significant uptick in sales leading up to the release of GTA 6 in November and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 in October, industry expert Ronan Patrick from Newzoo predicts a moderate increase in the console install base without a massive shift.
Patrick noted that both PS5 and Xbox prices have significantly risen in inflation-adjusted terms since their launch, with the PS5 being 67% more expensive and the Xbox being twice as costly.
He added, “It’s worth noting that a majority of gaming time is often spent on older titles. The closest comparison to a hardware disruption was seen during the 2020-2021 GPU shortage, which didn’t deter engagement or revenue but rather led to a shift in spending towards software.”
Reports from VGC suggest a 14.4% decline in overall UK hardware sales compared to the previous year, mainly driven by a 32% decrease in PS5 sales while Xbox Series X|S sales saw a slight 3.1% rise.
The extended preview of GTA 6 on Netflix became the most-watched title on the platform last week, amassing 31.1 million views within four days. On YouTube, the preview garnered 22 million views in just one week.
Data from Sensor Tower reveals a notable 35% increase in Netflix’s US mobile viewership during the premiere of GTA 6.