U.S. Video Game Subscriptions Hit New Historical High

US Video Game Subscriptions See Third Consecutive Monthly Growth, Reaching $600 Million in May 2025

In May 2025, monthly video game subscription expenditures in the United States reached a new historical maximum, totaling approximately $600 million. This marked the third consecutive month of growth in the sector, according to a recent report by data analytics firm Circana. The trend suggests that many players now prefer accessing game catalogs through services like Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus over purchasing individual titles. Industry analyst Mat Piscatella, who also serves as Circana’s CEO, had previously noted that US gaming subscription spending remained stable for years. A significant shift occurred in Q4 2024, when subscription spending received a 12% boost following the inclusion of Call of Duty on Game Pass. Despite this recent growth, Piscatella expressed reservations in April, cautioning that while subscriptions are an important market segment, they may not represent the entirety of the industry’s direction. He also observed that the current economic climate, characterized by higher overall prices, could be influencing consumer behavior as players seek products offering better quality-to-price ratios.

May 2025 Video Game Sales Mixed Performance: Hardware Decrease, Subscription Growth Reaches $600M

May 2025 saw mixed performance in hardware sales. Overall spending on console hardware decreased by 13% compared to the previous year. Specifically, Xbox Series X|S console sales dropped by 30% year-over-year, likely influenced by Microsoft’s price increase for these consoles, announced on May 1st. The Nintendo Switch experienced a 44% decrease in sales, while PlayStation 5 sales grew by 3%. In contrast, total video game hardware spending for May 2025 reached $4.1 billion, a modest 1% increase from the same month last year. The PlayStation 5 led the console market in both dollar sales and units sold. Regarding game performance in May 2025, Elden Ring Nightreign was the U.S.’s bestselling game, with DOOM: The Dark Ages coming in second. DOOM: The Dark Ages notably reached 3 million players faster than its predecessor, DOOM Eternal; this count includes Game Pass players. Looking ahead to July 2025, new titles are anticipated to join Xbox Game Pass. An update 1.2 for Oblivion Remastered has been released, introducing new difficulty options. For a limited period, all Destiny 2 expansions are available for free on Xbox. Additionally, Mafia: The Old Country was previewed ahead of its Xbox release in August.

Consumer Preference for Subscription Model Challenges Game Industry Balance

Short-term subscription growth highlights a clear consumer preference for broad and continuous game access. However, the industry’s evolution may involve a balance between the subscription model and other consumption forms, potentially facing sustainability challenges.

In Case You Missed It

For all you gamers out there looking for some exciting new additions to your gaming roster, Jonathan Dubinski’s latest post over at Players For Life is not one to miss. Published on July 9, 2025, “Xbox Game Pass: Two New Games Available, Including a Cherished Gem” dives into the world of Xbox Game Pass with two fresh titles hitting the scene this month. From the gritty cyberpunk action of “The Ascent” to the cozy charm of “Minami Lane,” there’s something for everyone. Be sure to check out the full rundown Xbox Game Pass: Two New Games Available, Including a Cherished Gem! If you’re curious about why your Steam library might be overflowing with games you haven’t touched since the day you bought them, check out Sophie Laurent’s latest piece titled “Study Reveals Many Steam Players Buy Games They Never Play,” also published on July 9, 2025. Chris Zukowski delves into the intriguing phenomenon of gamers amassing titles without playing them, drawing fascinating comparisons to the Japanese concept of “Tsundoku.” Discover how aggressive promotions and impulse buying during sales events contribute to this trend and learn why game producers are benefiting from it more than ever before. Dive deeper into this analysis at Study Reveals Many Steam Players Buy Games They Never Play! And if you’re a fan of post-apocalyptic gaming and have been eagerly waiting for Stalker 2 to hit your PlayStation console, make sure to check out “Stalker 1 Arrives on PlayStation 5 by End of 2025” by Ahmed Hassan (published July 9, 2025). This exciting update from GSC Game World reveals that the highly anticipated title will be coming to PS5 and the soon-to-be-released PS5 Pro. The blog also details how the development team has integrated DualSense features to enhance player immersion, alongside addressing past challenges and confirming the game’s impressive sales figures. Don’t miss out on all these thrilling developments—head over to Stalker 2 Arrives on PlayStation 5 by End of 2025 to learn more!