Twice as many developers surveyed by GDC say they want to make games on PS5 or Switch 2 than on Xbox

January 29, 2026 - 20:06

A new survey of game developers reveals a significant shift in platform preference, with interest in creating games for Xbox consoles falling notably behind its rivals. The annual industry survey, which polls thousands of game creators, found that twice as many developers are now interested in making games for the PlayStation 5 or the anticipated Nintendo Switch successor than for the Xbox Series X/S.

While the personal computer remains the dominant and most popular platform for developers by a wide margin, the console landscape is showing clear divisions. This change in sentiment follows a year of major industry upheaval, including widespread studio closures and a strategic pivot by Microsoft to a more multi-platform publishing approach for some of its former Xbox exclusives. Developers appear to be reacting to market realities and perceived stability, placing greater confidence in the established market reach of Sony and Nintendo's ecosystems.

The data suggests developers are carefully evaluating where to allocate their resources and talent. With the console player bases for PlayStation and Nintendo historically proving larger and more consistent for certain genres, many studios are aligning their future project plans accordingly. This trend could influence the variety and exclusivity of games available on each platform in the coming years, as developer interest is a leading indicator of where new content will ultimately land.