Console wars may be fading as a headline, but by the numbers, PlayStation’s grip on the gaming world keeps tightening. New Ampere data reveals that not only has Sony’s console user base grown steadily ahead of Xbox, but the gap is now a chasm-over 10 million more monthly active users on PlayStation as of late 2024. With PS5 sales rocketing to 75 million units (compared to Xbox’s estimated 33 million), the story of this generation is one of diverging strategies and results. Let’s dig into the numbers, the context, and what’s coming next for the big three.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Sony Interactive Entertainment, Microsoft, Nintendo |
| Release Date | Ongoing (latest hardware: PS5/Xbox Series 2020, Switch 2 June 5, 2025) |
| Genres | Console hardware, platform ecosystem |
| Platforms | PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch |
For years, PlayStation and Xbox have been locked in a tug-of-war over the hearts (and wallets) of console gamers. But Ampere’s latest analysis leaves little doubt: by the end of 2022, PlayStation already had a 6 million advantage in monthly active users. Fast-forward to late 2024, and that gap has swelled to more than 10 million. Crucially, these figures reflect active users on dedicated consoles, not the wider world of PC or cloud gaming.
Monthly activity is a particularly revealing metric. Unlike raw hardware sales, it indicates ongoing engagement and the stickiness of an ecosystem. Sony’s approach-anchored by a stable of blockbuster exclusives like Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 and God of War: Ragnarok-has built remarkable loyalty, even as those titles eventually filter to PC.
Microsoft, meanwhile, has leaned hard into services. The Game Pass strategy brings Xbox games to PC, cloud, and even rival consoles. Yet when it comes to console-only activity, the numbers show Xbox still struggles to catch up. Even accounting for legacy support across generations (PS4/PS5 vs Xbox One/Series S/X), Sony’s momentum continues mostly unchallenged.
The sales side underscores the same trend. PS5 hit 75 million units sold by the end of 2024, more than double the combined 33 million for Xbox Series X|S. It’s a staggering lead, especially given both launched in 2020. With Microsoft cagey about platform-by-platform figures, clear comparisons are tricky, but the direction is unmistakable.
Looking ahead, Nintendo’s upcoming Switch 2 (landing June 5, 2025) could reshape the landscape all over again. While PlayStation’s dominance is clear for now, the race for player attention is far from over—especially as the big players chase different visions for the future of gaming: Sony doubling down on exclusives and hardware, Microsoft betting on a service-led future, and Nintendo ready to shake things up once again. One thing’s certain: the “war” may be quieter, but the stakes have never been higher.
TL;DR: PlayStation’s lead in both active users and hardware sales has grown sharply, with PS5 now at 75 million units and over 10 million more monthly active users than Xbox. Sony’s strategy of exclusives and brand power continues to pay off, but Nintendo’s Switch 2 and Microsoft’s service-driven push promise more twists ahead.
Source: Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo via GamesPress
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