The gaming business is playing for keeps. Sony’s PlayStation 5 has crossed US$100 million shipments worldwide, while Microsoft is turning to cloud gaming to cash in on the buzz around Grand Theft Auto (GTA) VI. Meanwhile, Chinese publishers are grabbing a bigger slice of the mobile gaming pie.
Sony’s PlayStation 5 has crossed US$100 million shipments worldwide, reaching the milestone nearly six years after its November 2020 launch. The console has joined an elite club, becoming Sony’s fourth system to cross the mark after the original PlayStation, PlayStation 2 and PlayStation 4. But the PS5 has taken longer to get there than its predecessor. The PS4 crossed US$100 million shipments in June 2019, around five years and seven months after launch. The PS5’s journey was slowed by early supply shortages and higher prices.
Sony reported shipments of US$97.9 million units at the end of September. The latest milestone points to at least US$2.1 million additional units shipped in roughly six weeks. As the console enters its seventh year, hardware sales are moderating. However, the upcoming release of Grand Theft Auto VI could give demand a fresh push before Sony introduces its next-generation system. The US$100-million mark is in the bag. Matching the PS4’s pace, however, proved a tougher game.
Microsoft’s Xbox division has struck a 10-year strategic partnership with Take-Two Interactive, bringing Grand Theft Auto VI to Xbox Cloud Gaming from 19 November, according to Xbox CEO Asha Sharma.
The deal will allow Xbox One owners to stream the much-awaited title without upgrading their consoles. Xbox Series X|S players will also be able to stream the game, with Series S graphics settings used for cloud play.
Sharma also confirmed that GTA VI has become the most pre-ordered game in Microsoft store history. The company has not disclosed sales figures.
The partnership will bring Grand Theft Auto V, Red Dead Redemption 2 and other Rockstar Games titles to Xbox Cloud Gaming in the coming months.
From 11 November, players in supported markets can buy cloud gaming time without a Game Pass subscription. The game itself must be purchased separately.
Financial terms of the agreement remain under wraps. But with GTA VI generating major pre-launch interest, Xbox is betting that cloud gaming can bring the blockbuster to a wider audience.
The Premier League and EA Sports have launched the 2026/27 ePremier League season, raising the prize pool by 50 per cent to £150,000.
UK residents aged 16 and above can compete through EA Sports FC 27 qualifiers. Coventry City and Hull City will make their tournament debuts, with the competition set to conclude at live finals in London on 4 April 2027.
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), which manages a portfolio worth around US$900 billion, is exploring new ways to raise capital without additional equity injections.
Options include securitising portfolio companies’ cash flows and selling stakes in mature businesses, according to Reuters. The fund’s 2026-2030 strategy places greater emphasis on financial returns and private investment.
Its gaming interests include Scopely and ESL Faceit Group through Savvy Games Group, making its funding plans worth watching across the industry.
Chinese publishers accounted for 40 per cent of revenue generated by the world’s top 100 highest-grossing mobile games by mid-2026, compared with 16.5 per cent for US publishers, according to Sensor Tower data.
Chinese titles now make up 40 of the top 100 games, up from 21 a decade ago. Hits such as Honor of Kings and Whiteout Survival have helped fuel the rise.
The numbers underline China’s growing clout in mobile gaming, where its publishers are taking a bigger bite out of global revenue.
