Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 has taken the top spot on the UK all-format boxed game charts, but with a 10% dip in physical sales compared to last year's Modern Warfare 3.
The decline is likely linked to Xbox users choosing digital Game Pass options, according to Chris Dring of GamesIndustry.biz, marking a shift in the way many fans are accessing the game.
PS5 Leads Physical Sales With Xbox In Distant Second
As expected, PlayStation continues to lead in physical sales for Call of Duty. In the UK, PS5 accounted for 80% of physical copies sold, while Xbox Series X/S came in at 12%, and PS4 at 8%. This breakdown is in line with prior releases, as Call of Duty games have traditionally sold more physical copies on Sony Group Corp.'s (NYSE:SONY) platforms.
While physical sales declined, Black Ops 6 still claimed the number one spot, moving EA Sports FC 25 to second and Sonic x Shadow Generations to third in the UK rankings.
Strong Start On Steam, With Mixed Player Feedback
Black Ops 6 has also drawn attention on PC, reaching a peak of 306,460 concurrent players on Steam during launch weekend.
This places it as the third-highest peak for a Call of Duty game since the Call of Duty launcher's debut in 2022, with Warzone 2.0 holding the record at nearly 492,000 concurrent players.
However, user reviews are currently mixed, with players citing issues like crashes, performance lags, and spawn problems. Activision has acknowledged these complaints and is working on fixes.
Game Pass Experiment And The End Of The $1 Trial
Microsoft's decision to add Black Ops 6 to Game Pass is significant, marking the first time a new Call of Duty title has been available on the subscription service since Microsoft Corp.'s (NASDAQ:MSFT) acquisition of Activision Blizzard.
This release comes as Microsoft also removed its $1 Game Pass trial, making it a test for the platform's ability to draw in players without introductory incentives.
