US console sales sink as prices hit records; Xbox broadens its push beyond games

US Xbox sales hit a historic low and PlayStation sales fell to their lowest since 2013 as memory costs pushed console prices to records. Elsewhere, Xbox reorganised its expansion beyond games, while Ubisoft set an end date for Rainbow Six Mobile just seven months after its global launch.

Key developments

Console prices squeeze the US market

US Xbox hardware sales fell 33% year-on-year through August to a historic low, while PlayStation sales fell 25% to their lowest since 2013. Circana's Mat Piscatella said the market faces its worst crisis since the early-1980s crash, with AI data center demand for memory pushing average Xbox and PlayStation prices to records of $529 and $597 respectively.

Higher memory costs are making consoles more expensive for buyers while squeezing hardware supply.

Oct 10 · 机核 · VGC

Xbox reorganises franchise expansion

Xbox created XP, a division led by president Kayleen Walters, to expand franchises through consumer products, partnerships, live experiences, film and television. Maria Angelidou-Smith was appointed CEO of Mojang and Minecraft.

Xbox's expansion beyond games now has dedicated leadership, alongside a leadership change at Minecraft's developer.

Oct 9 · Latest Updates | PocketGamer.biz · Latest Updates | PocketGamer.biz

Rainbow Six Mobile gets a shutdown date

Ubisoft will shut down Rainbow Six Mobile on January 15, 2027, announcing the decision seven months after its global launch. The free-to-play tactical shooter remains playable until its online services end.

Players will lose access less than a year after the franchise's global mobile launch.

Oct 9 · GamesIndustry.biz Latest Articles Feed · Game Developer · Latest Updates | PocketGamer.biz

Sony transfers VR patents to Meta

Sony agreed to transfer 419 global VR patents to Meta, including 180 filed in the US. The transfer follows an agreement signed in December 2025.

Meta gains ownership of VR intellectual property previously held by Sony.

Oct 9 · GamesIndustry.biz Latest Articles Feed

Delta Force passes 58 million daily users

Tencent's TiMi Studio Group announced that Delta Force exceeded 58 million daily active users in China. That compares with more than 30 million at its first anniversary and 50 million in March.

Delta Force's expanding daily audience strengthens its role in Tencent's live-service portfolio.

Oct 10 · 触乐

Gears revenue extends beyond unit sales

Gears of War: E-Day reportedly attracted more than 1.7 million Xbox Game Pass players and generated over $37 million since launch. A sizable share of revenue came from subscribers buying the Premium Edition upgrade.

Paid upgrades let the game earn revenue from subscribers who already have access through Game Pass.

Oct 9 · Eurogamer

Forza's PS5 launch slips into January

Forza Horizon 6 will launch on PS5 in January 2027 rather than this year. Its PC and Xbox versions launched in May.

PlayStation players face a longer wait for access than originally planned.

Oct 9 · Eurogamer

Xbox rebuilds its PC client

Microsoft announced a rebuilt Xbox PC client codenamed Garrison, with Xbox Insider testing opening in the coming weeks and a possible launch within the year. The client promises faster loading for libraries exceeding 1,400 games and merges store and game detail pages.

The changes target slow library browsing and fragmented navigation for Xbox PC users.

Oct 10 · 机核

Also this week

Sales milestones

• Ace Combat 8 sold 1 million copies in roughly its first week, making it the fastest-selling entry in the series. VGC · Eurogamer

• Phasmophobia surpassed 30 million sales across PC and consoles since its Early Access launch in 2020. Eurogamer

Business and adaptations

• Modern Times Group postponed a potential PlaySimple IPO because of Indian capital market conditions and plans to revisit its timing in 2027. Latest Updates | PocketGamer.biz

• Paramount Pictures is developing a live-action film set in the Cyberpunk 2077 universe, co-produced by CD Projekt Red, whose joint CEO Michał Nowakowski publicly acknowledged the partnership. GamesIndustry.biz Latest Articles Feed · Eurogamer

Future games

• Hooded Horse signed Hello World Studios' roguelite factory-defense game 《谈练工厂》 for a 2027 PC release, with its first official trailer reportedly helping Steam wishlists pass 150,000 in under two weeks. 机核

• Silent Hill producer Motoi Okamoto said Konami is considering a number of projects beyond its first wave of new Silent Hill games. Eurogamer

• Squadron 42 opened Steam wishlisting ahead of its planned Q2 2027 release. Eurogamer

What to watch

• Xbox Insider testing of the rebuilt Garrison PC client opens in the coming weeks; a wider launch may follow before year-end.

• Rainbow Six Mobile's online services are scheduled to end on January 15, 2027.

• Forza Horizon 6's delayed PS5 release is due in January 2027.

• Squadron 42 is targeting release in Q2 2027.