Why Is Call of Duty Beating GTA 6 on PS5?

If you came across headlines saying Call of Duty is beating GTA 6 on the PlayStation Store, you’re probably wondering how that’s even possible.

After all, GTA 6 hasn’t even launched yet, and it’s already one of the biggest games in history. Every trailer breaks viewing records, and millions of players are waiting for its release.

So how can a game that first launched years ago suddenly climb above it?

The answer is surprisingly simple: it’s all about how the PlayStation Store rankings work—not because GTA 6 has suddenly become less popular.

Let’s break it down.

Is Call of Duty Really Beating GTA 6 on PS5?

Yes—but only if you’re looking at the PlayStation Store charts.

Recently, classic Call of Duty titles made their debut on the PlayStation Store for modern consoles. That release sparked a wave of purchases from longtime fans who wanted to revisit games they grew up playing.

Because so many people bought those games within a short period, they climbed to the top of the PlayStation Store rankings.

That’s where the “Call of Duty is beating GTA 6” headline comes from.

It’s important to understand that these rankings measure recent purchases, not overall popularity.

So while Call of Duty briefly moved above GTA 6 in store charts, it doesn’t mean it has overtaken Rockstar’s upcoming blockbuster in global popularity.

Why Are Players Buying an Old Call of Duty Again?

This is really the reason behind the sudden spike.

For many PlayStation players, these games weren’t just another re-release—they were games they hadn’t been able to purchase digitally on modern PlayStation hardware before.

That created a perfect mix of nostalgia and convenience.

Instead of digging out an old console or searching for used physical discs, players could simply download their favorite Call of Duty title and jump back in.

For fans who spent countless hours on these games years ago, that was enough reason to hit the buy button.

So Why Is Everyone Talking About Xbox?

Here’s where the story becomes more interesting.

Although these games are climbing the PlayStation charts, they’re actually being published by Xbox.

A few years ago, that would have sounded impossible.

Today, however, Microsoft has changed its gaming strategy. Instead of keeping every first-party game exclusive to Xbox, it’s gradually bringing more titles to other platforms—including PlayStation.

From Microsoft’s perspective, selling games to more players means reaching a larger audience and generating more revenue.

But not every Xbox fan is celebrating that decision.

Why Are Xbox Fans Upset?

The frustration isn’t really about PlayStation getting more games.

It’s about what Xbox players feel has been ignored.

Many fans have spent years asking for improvements to older Call of Duty games, especially when it comes to online multiplayer.

Common complaints include:

• Hacked multiplayer lobbies
• Matchmaking problems
• Poor server reliability
• A lack of updates for legacy titles

So when PlayStation players suddenly get access to these classic games, some Xbox fans can’t help but wonder why those long-standing issues weren’t addressed first.

For them, it feels like Microsoft focused on expanding the audience before fixing the experience for existing players.

That’s the reason the conversation has become so heated online.

Does This Mean GTA 6 Is Losing Popularity?

Not at all.

This is probably the biggest misconception surrounding the story.

GTA 6 remains one of the most anticipated games ever made.

The PlayStation Store charts simply reflect what’s being purchased right now.

When a newly available game attracts thousands of buyers in a short period, it’s normal for it to temporarily climb above titles that aren’t generating the same level of day-to-day purchases.

Once GTA 6 launches, it’s expected to dominate sales charts across every platform.

So this isn’t a sign that players have lost interest in Rockstar’s next blockbuster.

What Does This Mean for PlayStation Players?

For PlayStation owners, it’s mostly good news.

Classic Call of Duty games are attracting fresh players, old communities are coming back together, and multiplayer activity is seeing a noticeable boost.

For players who missed these games the first time around—or simply want to relive them—they now have an easier way to do that.

Whether that momentum lasts will depend on continued player activity and how well the older games hold up over time.

Final Thoughts

The headline “Call of Duty is beating GTA 6 on PS5” grabs attention because it sounds almost unbelievable.

But once you look at what’s actually happening, the picture becomes much clearer.

Classic Call of Duty games received a surge of purchases after arriving on the PlayStation Store, pushing them above GTA 6 in recent sales rankings.

The bigger story isn’t that GTA 6 is losing momentum—it’s that Microsoft’s evolving multiplatform strategy has created excitement for PlayStation players while also reigniting frustrations among parts of the Xbox community.