Sony has recently unveiled its lineup of top PS5 downloads for 2024, and it’s no surprise that several live service games have taken center stage. This move may have stirred some debate among PlayStation fans, but it clearly highlights why Sony is doubling down on the live service model. Industry analyst Mat Piscatella has now weighed in by releasing his list of 2024’s best-selling games across all platforms, offering further evidence in support of this strategic shift.
Among the highlights is Helldivers 2, a PlayStation live service title, which has emerged as the third best-seller for 2024. In a recent Bluesky post, Piscatella shared a rundown that ranks the top 20 games in the U.S. based on dollar sales. This comprehensive list takes into account both physical copies and full game downloads from major digital storefronts like Nintendo eShop, PlayStation, Steam, and Xbox, covering the period from December 30, 2023, to January 4, 2025. Here’s how it panned out:
1. Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
2. EA Sports College Football 25
3. Helldivers 2
4. Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero
5. NBA 2K25
6. Madden NFL 25
7. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3
8. EA Sports FC 25
9. Elden Ring
10. EA Sports MVP Bundle
11. Hogwarts Legacy
12. Dragon’s Dogma 2
13. WWE 2K24
14. MLB: The Show 24
15. Grand Theft Auto 5
16. Minecraft
17. Final Fantasy 7: Rebirth
18. Tekken 8
19. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
20. NBA 2K24
If you’ve been keeping tabs on gaming sales throughout the year, you’ll recognize many of these recurring heavyweights. Titles like Call of Duty, NBA 2K, Grand Theft Auto 5, and EA Sports FC (formerly known as FIFA) are regular fixtures in the yearly top sellers. However, seeing Helldivers 2 up there might catch some off guard, especially considering the lukewarm reception of Sony’s previous live service attempts. Still, this sequel from Arrowhead appeared to hit a sweet spot right from the start.
Overall, the list is dominated by games infused with live service components. Remarkably, eight of the top nine titles blend in these features, signifying a strong trend. While some fans might not be thrilled with Sony’s pivot toward games as a service, it’s clear from the numbers why the company is exploring this path.
