“This doesn’t represent pre-order data,” Xbox disputes reviews of PS5 crushing GTA 6 preorder demand

Amongst what looks like a deluge of unhealthy information for Xbox proper now, from console worth rises (once more) and threatened studio closures, it appears GTA 6 preorder gross sales information has turn into the following battleground for which followers and publications are utilizing to stay the knife in. There’s a specific social media submit proper now being shared from IGN stating that, based mostly on their affiliate information, PlayStation is outperforming Xbox on GTA 6 preorders by a charge of 8-to-1.

Windows Central can verify that we’ve acquired a press release from an Xbox spokesperson on this matter: “This doesn’t signify pre-order information. We’ve had document orders. People ought to anticipate actual information and never clicks on affiliate hyperlinks.”

We’re living in an era where social media narratives often outpace verified market reality, and to be clear, IGN does state in the quote that it’s based on their own community data. But it’s worth noting that while it is likely true that PlayStation is receiving more orders based on their console share of the market, nobody actually knows the concrete sales data yet, and relying on affiliate linking programs from one website to draw broad conclusions about the state of affairs is a shaky tactic.

But it IS one that’s gathering traction as it’s being amplified by reports such as this one from Vice, and it’s gathering significant engagement. Engagement that will no doubt have reached the general public outside of the gaming sphere, too, as it’s being shared around on Instagram, X, and other platforms.