Xbox Users Lead in Game Variety, Not Total Playtime
A recent deep dive by Ampere Analysis has shed light on player behavior across major gaming platforms, revealing an interesting trend: Xbox Series owners are, on average, trying out more individual game titles each month compared to their counterparts on PlayStation 5 or PC via Steam. However, this wider breadth of gaming comes with a caveat – Xbox users spend less total time playing.
According to the analysis, which presented data for August 2025, Xbox gamers played an average of 5.7 unique titles per month. This figure outpaced Steam users, who averaged 4.5 games, and PS5 players, who came in at 3.7 titles per month. This suggests a strong inclination among the Xbox community to sample a wider array of experiences.
The Game Pass Effect: More Choice, More Play
The primary driver behind Xbox's lead in game variety is undoubtedly the immense popularity of Xbox Game Pass. This subscription service offers a vast library of hundreds of games for a fixed monthly fee, empowering subscribers to effortlessly discover and try new projects without additional cost. As of early 2024, Game Pass boasted an impressive 34 million subscribers, with its library now exceeding 500 titles, making it a significant draw for players looking for constant new content.
Less Time Spent, Call of Duty's Influence
Despite trying more games, Xbox players spend less overall time immersed in them. For the same August 2025 period, PS5 gamers led in total playtime with an average of 12.7 hours, closely followed by Steam users at 11.9 hours. Xbox players trailed with an average of just 7.7 hours per month.
Interestingly, playtime on Xbox platforms is more volatile than on other systems and appears heavily influenced by major game releases, particularly the Call of Duty franchise. For instance, in November 2024, immediately following the late October release of Black Ops 6, average playtime on Xbox surged by 20%, hitting 10.4 hours, before gradually declining to its current levels. Analysts anticipate a similar spike with the release of Black Ops 7 in November of the coming year.
Game Pass's Role in Total Playtime
The report also highlighted the significant contribution of Game Pass titles to overall Xbox playtime. In August, 42% of all gaming hours on Xbox were spent on games available through the subscription service. This percentage can climb above 50% during periods when popular titles are added to the Game Pass library. During other times, non-subscription games account for a slightly larger share of playtime, though the difference remains small.
What This Means for Players
These findings paint a clear picture of the Xbox ecosystem's unique appeal. For players, it means unparalleled access to a diverse and constantly rotating selection of games, encouraging experimentation and discovery. While PS5 and PC users might dedicate more hours to fewer titles, Xbox gamers are embracing variety, thanks largely to the value and accessibility offered by Xbox Game Pass. This strategy allows Xbox to cater to players who enjoy exploring different genres and experiences, making it a compelling platform for those who prioritize breadth over exclusive depth within a single game.
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