Sony is preparing to share more ecosystem data than ever before via its new Welcome Hub widget. This feature – currently in a beta testing phase – offers a rare glimpse into the popularity of titles across the PlayStation 5 platform.
This system differs slightly from the real – time concurrent metrics popularized by Steam. As showcased by YouTuber Mystic, the widget displays the top ten most popular games in a user’s region based on total weekly activity.
The widget is currently restricted to select testers, but early footage from the United States reveals the massive scale of top – tier titles. The following figures represent active players in the American market over a recent seven – day period:
- Fortnite: 14.6 million
- GTA 5: 5.13 million
- Minecraft: 4.97 million
- Call of Duty: 4.95 million
- Apex Legends: 1.72 million
- Marvel Rivals: 1.58 million
- Battlefield 6: 1.51 million
- ARC Raiders: 972k
These statistics are strictly region – specific, meaning results will fluctuate based on the user’s geography. In markets like Europe or the United Kingdom, for example, titles such as EA Sports FC would likely claim top spots that differ from the results seen in the US.
It is important to note that this metric tracks total engagement rather than concurrent play. Anyone who launched a title at least once in the previous seven days is counted toward the final total, making it a broader look at weekly reach.
Technical details remain vague regarding whether the widget aggregates data from both PS4 and PS5 versions of these games. Most observers suspect that the system focuses specifically on the native PlayStation 5 versions of the software.
Some critics suggest that a weekly top 10 list may have limited utility for the average player. Because the most popular games tend to stay dominant, the core rankings are unlikely to see frequent shifts from week to week.
However, a separate toggle in the widget allows users to track sudden activity spikes. If a game receives a significant sale or a major content update, this feature – similar to trending sections on SteamDB – highlights the sudden influx of players.
Sony’s decision to publicize this level of internal information marks a significant step toward transparency. Even if the data is somewhat limited compared to PC analytics, it provides more context than console users have ever had before.
While the Welcome Hub remains in beta, a full cancellation of the feature seems unlikely. It is expected that the widget will roll out to all users once Sony is satisfied with the feedback from its current test group.
