Microsoft has officially stopped sharing digital sales data with US analytics firm Circana. As of the August 2026 monthly report, the company no longer provides direct digital sales figures for titles under the Xbox, Activision, and Bethesda umbrellas.
Impact on Industry Reporting
Circana, formerly known as NPD, has historically relied on direct reporting from publishers to compile its monthly hardware and software sales charts. While companies like Sony and Bandai Namco continue to provide their digital data to be combined with retailer information, Microsoft’s decision to opt out shifts its reporting strategy toward estimates.
To account for this change, Circana has begun implementing projected data models for non-participating publishers. This process introduces a margin of error compared to the previous system of direct data submission.
Broader Data Changes
This move mirrors existing policies from other major industry players. Nintendo and Take-Two have not provided digital sales data to the firm for several years. Additionally, Microsoft has ended its data sharing agreement with GSD, a similar tracking organization operating in Europe.
Quick Facts
- Affected Publishers: Xbox, Activision, and Bethesda.
- Reporting Change: Circana will now use projected estimates instead of direct digital sales figures.
- European Tracking: Microsoft has also ceased sharing data with the European tracker GSD.
- Industry Context: Nintendo and Take-Two have maintained a similar policy of not sharing digital data for years.