New data from Circana’s player engagement tracker indicates the top five most-played games on PlayStation in the US for 2025 were identical to those in 2024, with Fortnite leading the pack. This remarkable consistency underscores the deep-rooted loyalty players have for evergreen titles and live-service models. The report, initially highlighted by GamesIndustry.biz, offers a clear snapshot of the American gaming landscape.
Call of Duty secured the second spot, followed by Grand Theft Auto V, Roblox, and Minecraft, completing the list of dominant titles. This unwavering preference for a handful of established franchises, many of which are live-service games, points to significant trends in player behavior and game development strategies.
These titles continuously evolve with new content, fostering deep player loyalty and extended engagement, which often surpasses the initial hype cycles of newer releases. The data suggests that for many American PlayStation users, familiarity and ongoing updates outweigh the allure of novelty.
The enduring dominance of live-service models
The consistent performance of games like Fortnite, Call of Duty, and Grand Theft Auto V reflects a significant shift towards live-service models in the gaming industry. These titles, designed for continuous updates and community engagement, have successfully cultivated massive, dedicated player bases. Data from Circana highlights this trend, showing how these games dominate playtimes.
Circana’s findings further reveal that almost one in three US players on PlayStation or Xbox booted up Fortnite at least once during the week ending December 27th, illustrating its pervasive influence. This level of sustained engagement is a testament to their ability to deliver fresh experiences and foster social connections, making them staples in the gaming routines of millions. This long-term engagement is crucial for player retention in competitive markets.
A look beyond PlayStation: Xbox and new contenders
While PlayStation’s top five remained constant, the broader gaming landscape saw similar patterns on Xbox, where Call of Duty edged out Fortnite for the top spot, with the same core titles following. This indicates a cross-platform appeal for these mega-franchises. However, the PC market, particularly Steam, showcased emerging successes.
Embark Studios’ Arc Raiders, for example, rapidly sold over seven million copies on Steam by early January, according to Alinea Analytics data shared exclusively with GamesIndustry.biz. More than 18% of Arc Raiders players on Steam have spent over 100 hours in-game, with a quarter-percent exceeding 500 hours, showcasing significant player investment.
Interestingly, an estimated 26% of Arc Raiders players on Steam also engaged with Helldivers 2. Alinea Analytics noted a higher crossover rate among PS5 players at 40%, compared to 21% for Xbox users. Overall, Arc Raiders has surpassed 12 million copies sold and over 3.2 million daily active users across all platforms, signaling a strong new entry capable of capturing substantial player attention.
The stability in the top five most-played PlayStation games in the US for 2025 underscores a mature market dominated by established giants. While new titles like Arc Raiders demonstrate that innovation can still carve out significant market share, the consistent performance of live-service behemoths suggests that player loyalty, continuous content updates, and strong community features are now paramount.
This trend is likely to continue, pushing developers to focus on long-term engagement rather than just initial sales spikes. Future success in the competitive gaming landscape will increasingly depend on a game’s ability to retain players through evolving experiences and robust online communities.
