TL;DR
Data from Circana and analyst Mat Piscatella show the same top five most-played PS5 and Xbox games in 2024 and 2025. Long-running, multiplatform live-service titles with regular updates and social networks are increasingly difficult for new releases to displace.
What happened
Analysis of player engagement by Circana and commentary from analyst Mat Piscatella found that the five most-played games on PlayStation 5 and Xbox in 2025 were the same as in 2024. The list — Fortnite, Roblox, Call of Duty, Minecraft, and Grand Theft Auto V — reflects titles that have been active for many years, support multiple platforms, emphasize multiplayer, and receive continuous updates. Most also host extensive user-generated content and, in the cases of Fortnite and Roblox, are free-to-play. Publishers and studios spent much of the past several years attempting to replicate that success with new live-service projects, but many launches underperformed or were shut down soon after release. A handful of newer releases — for example Helldivers 2 and Marvel Rivals — achieved notable traction, and single-player narrative games released in 2025 also found attention, suggesting alternative development approaches may be more sustainable than chasing the biggest live-service hits.
Why it matters
- Market concentration makes it harder for new games to gain mass audiences, reinforcing incumbents.
- The economics of live-service games favor established titles with existing player economies and social networks.
- Failed live-service launches have prompted studios to scale back or reconsider long-term strategies.
- Consumer spending and platform access (free-to-play, cross-platform availability) influence players’ choices.
Key facts
- Circana Player Engagement Tracker and analyst Mat Piscatella reported the top five PS5/Xbox titles were unchanged between 2024 and 2025.
- The top five most-played games named are Fortnite, Roblox, Call of Duty, Minecraft, and Grand Theft Auto V.
- Common traits among these hits: longevity (many around eight years or older), multiplatform support, multiplayer focus, frequent content updates.
- With the exception of Call of Duty, the top five extensively feature user-generated content; Fortnite and Roblox are free-to-play.
- Many studios attempted to build blockbuster live-service games but several projects failed or were shut down shortly after launch.
- Examples of underperforming or shuttered projects mentioned include Foamstars, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, Anthem, and Concord.
- Some newer titles, such as Helldivers 2 and Marvel Rivals, managed to climb player-count charts across consoles and PC.
- 2025 also saw attention for single-player narrative releases like Ghost of Yotei, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Hades II, and Hollow Knight: Silksong.
What to watch next
- The release status and launch performance of Grand Theft Auto VI, which the source flagged as a likely chart challenger if it ships on schedule.
- Whether more new live-service projects can break into the entrenched top five or if success will remain limited to niche hits.
- Shifts in publisher strategies after recent failures — for example, whether plans for multiple live-service titles are expanded or scaled back.
Quick glossary
- Live-service game: A title designed to receive ongoing updates, events, and monetized content over time rather than being a one-time release.
- User-generated content (UGC): In-game content created or modified by players, such as custom maps, modes, skins, or items, that can extend a game's lifespan.
- Multiplatform: Games released on more than one hardware platform (for example, consoles and PC), often increasing potential audience size.
- Battle pass: A recurring progression system used in many live-service games that unlocks rewards as players complete activities.
Reader FAQ
Were the top five most-played games the same in both years?
Yes. Circana data and analyst Mat Piscatella reported the top five on PS5 and Xbox were unchanged between 2024 and 2025.
Which games made the top five?
Fortnite, Roblox, Call of Duty, Minecraft, and Grand Theft Auto V.
Why do those games stay at the top?
They are long-running, multiplatform, multiplayer titles that receive frequent updates and, except for Call of Duty, rely heavily on user-generated content; some are also free-to-play.
Is Grand Theft Auto VI confirmed to displace the top five in 2026?
Not confirmed in the source.
GAMING REPORT PLAYSTATION The most popular games are getting harder and harder to usurp The top-played games on Xbox and PS5 were the same in 2024 and 2025 and likely…
Sources
Related posts
- Xbox Developer Direct returns Jan. 22 with Fable and Forza gameplay
- Why Modern Televisions Cost a Fraction of Their Early-2000s Price
- Creatine Supplements Are Everywhere. Do You Really Need Them in 2026?