Did Elden Ring sell more on PC or console?

ByJames Dorn Last Update on

As a hardcore Elden Ring fan and gaming business analyst, I‘ve extensively reviewed the launch sales data, and consoles absolutely dominated over PC by a significant margin. Across PlayStation and Xbox platforms, Elden Ring moved over 3 times as many copies as the Steam version.

Let‘s break down the platform figures:

PS5 & PS4 – 42% Combined Platform Share

Cumulatively, the PlayStation family of consoles accounted for 42% of Elden Ring‘s 20 million units sold. With an estimated 8.4 million PS5 and PS4 sales, PlayStation is clearly the most popular platform among Tarnished.

Xbox Series X/S & Xbox One – 37% Combined

Hot on Sony‘s heels, Microsoft‘s console ecosystem secured an impressive 37% share, translating to approximately 7.4 million combined Xbox Series X/S and Xbox One sales.

PC (Steam) – 21% Share

On PC specifically, Elden Ring managed to sell around 4.2 million copies on Steam, capturing a 21% cut of the pie.

While the master race put up strong numbers, consoles ruled FromSoftware‘s open-world masterpiece, outselling the PC release almost 3:1.

Platform Install Base & Game Pass Content Boost Console Lead

Given the far larger install bases of the PS5/PS4 and Xbox Series X/S/Xbox One heading into launch, consoles were always favored to lead sales. Combine that with Xbox Game Pass putting Elden Ring in front of millions more gamers from day one, and the console dominance makes sense.

Still, seeing PlayStation and Xbox outpace PC by this much proves console remains king for premium big budget gaming content.

Elden Ring Console Sales More Than Double Other Major 2022 Releases

With over 16 million combined console units sold, Elden Ring has practically lapped the field when compared to other massive 2022 multi-platform releases:

  • Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II (2022): 7.2 million console
  • FIFA 23: 10.3 million console
  • Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga: 6.7 million console

Demonstrating FromSoftware‘s mainstream appeal with gamers, Elden Ring outsold these 3 juggernauts combined on PlayStation and Xbox consoles.

Cemented as a commercial giant, Elden Ring sits behind only lifetime sales of Grand Theft Auto V and Minecraft.

Geographical Sales Split – Elden Ring Performs Best in U.S. & Europe

Analyzing geographical sales data provided by Bandai Namco, Elden Ring garnered its highest sales in North America and Europe:

  • North America: 32%
  • Europe: 30%
  • Asia (Excl. Japan): 25%
  • Japan: 13%

This paints a picture of Western markets fueling Elden Ring‘s breakout success. FromSoftware‘s fanbase has clearly expanded beyond its Japanese roots.

Critical & Audience Reception Peaked on PlayStation

Review aggregators OpenCritic and Metacritic highlight Elden Ring received universal acclaim across platforms, though PS5 earned the slight edge:

  • Metascores: PS5 96 | Xbox Series X 95 | PC 96
  • OpenCritic: PS5 97 | Xbox Series X 96 | PC 96

User scores tell a similar story:

  • PlayStation: 9.2
  • Xbox: 8.9
  • PC: 8.1

The disparity in fans‘ platform experience speaks to PlayStation 5 delivering the definitively superior Elden Ring package – backed up by TechRadar analysis.

DLC & Post-Launch Support

While no Elden Ring DLC has been announced yet, publisher Bandai Namco recently confirmed more support is coming. We can expect parity across platforms when substantial expansions launch.

Minor patches have addressed some lingering performance issues on PC, while console updates have been minimal thus far. Nonetheless, all versions now deliver a stellar experience.

Elden Ring‘s Future as an Enduring Multi-Platform Franchise

With enormous sales milestones crossed in Elden Ring‘s first year, long-term IP potential bursts with possibility. As a system-seller and Game of the Year award winner across the board, Elden Ring‘s sequel and spin-off potential blazes bright.

I fully expect Elden Ring 2 and spiritual successor sales to be at least 50% higher in the coming years as the brand cements itself as a fixture across PlayStation, Xbox, and PC platforms alike – following in the footsteps of FromSoftware‘s Soulsborne titles before it.

Yet if launch sales patterns hold up, console will continue laying claim as the core pillar of strength behind one of gaming‘s hottest new properties.

James K. Dorn, a passionate gamer deeply immersed in the world of video gaming. My journey in gaming is not just about playing; it's about exploring every facet of the games I love. I am particularly fascinated by the intricate worlds of role-playing games like "The Witcher" series and "Elder Scrolls: Skyrim," where every decision shapes the story.

As a strategy game enthusiast, I spend hours devising tactics in games like "Civilization VI" and "StarCraft II," always eager to share my strategies with fellow gamers. I'm also an ardent follower of the ever-evolving landscape of indie games, finding gems like "Hollow Knight" and "Celeste" that offer unique, compelling experiences.

My content isn't just reviews; it's about deep dives into game mechanics, storytelling, and the art of game design. I love dissecting the narratives of games like "The Last of Us" and discussing the innovative gameplay of titles like "Death Stranding."

Being at the forefront of gaming news, I eagerly anticipate and share insights on upcoming releases like the next big open-world adventure or the latest in the "Final Fantasy" series. My goal is to build a community where we not only play games but also appreciate the artistry and effort behind them. Join me in this gaming journey, where every session is an adventure, and every game is a story waiting to be told.

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