Despite Xbox's Struggles In Hardware, Microsoft Was Reportedly The Top Video Game Publisher In December

Microsoft was apparently the number-one video game publisher in December 2024, despite struggling to sell Xbox hardware. Its success here is attributed to Call of Duty, according to global data. To be clear, this data applies to Steam, PlayStation, and Xbox. As such, it does not paint a full or complete picture, as Microsoft also owns and operates mobile gaming titles like Candy Crush and Call of Duty: Mobile.

According to data firm Ampere (via VGC), Call of Duty HQ--which comprises Black Ops 6, Warzone, and other COD games--drew in 38 monthly users in November 2024, and 64% of consumer spending on Microsoft titles in December was through PlayStation, mostly on Call of Duty. Microsoft's position as the top publisher in 2024 also included sales of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, which was released in December.

Ampere also noted that Electronic Arts generated $366 million over the same period, putting it second to Microsoft. EA Sports FC 25 was the biggest driver for EA's success, although it still underperformed according to EA's internal expectations. Chinese publishers like NetEase and Tencent pulled in impressive numbers as well. Ampere estimated that Marvel Rivals brought in 29 million monthly active users and Path of Exile 2 generated $148 million.

The multiplatform strategy Microsoft has been pursuing is seemingly driving results. However, Xbox is still struggling behind PlayStation in hardware sales. According to recent data in the US, PS5 sales are pacing ahead of PS4 while Xbox Series X|S is behind of Xbox One at the same point in both of their respective lifecycles. However, all three major platform holders experienced declining hardware sales in the US.

Xbox's Phil Spencer has reaffirmed that Microsoft is still committed to the hardware space while trying to push more multiplatform releases. As seen in the Xbox Developer Direct, games like Doom: The Dark Ages will come to rival platforms. Microsoft is also reportedly going to support the Nintendo Switch 2 when it releases.

While Ampere's data is unofficial, Microsoft reports earnings today, January 29, so we'll have a clearer picture of how Xbox performed last year.