- EA places Battlefield 6, EA Sports FC 25, and EA Sports FC 26 at the top of the best-sellers on PC in 2025.
- The State of Gaming 2026 report from Sensor Tower confirms the global dominance of EA’s AAA games.
- The free-to-play Skate becomes the most downloaded title on PC/console, but remains 17th in MAU.
- AA and remasters priced at $30–60 thrive (ARC Raiders, Split Fiction, Expedition 33), despite the commercial success of the AAA titles.
- EA finishes as the top publisher in downloads on PC/console, despite the largest advertising spend by Microsoft.
2025 will have shifted the gaming industry on PC. The overall rankings compiled by Sensor Tower, published in 2026, confirm what stores already saw in their daily dashboards: EA captures the bulk of premium traffic with a trio of AAA games locking the best-sellers. Battlefield 6 establishes itself as the global benchmark, while EA Sports FC 25 and EA Sports FC 26 occupy the other two spots, often switching depending on regions and promotional periods. On PC, this momentum is reinforced by strong appetite for technical FPS and connected sports simulations.
The landscape remains nuanced, however. Two indie games, R.E.P.O. and PEAK, sneak into the global top across all categories, proving that a bold proposition can stand out from the noise. Meanwhile, Skate dominates free-to-play downloads, even if monthly engagement has not caught up yet. Behind the showcase, AA productions and remastered versions, priced between $30 and $60, feed a very solid PC catalog base. This mix shapes the 2025 market: blockbusters with strong retention, an agile mid-market, and wildcards capturing imagination. A strong signal for 2026.
EA dominates PC best-sellers in 2025: three AAA games at the top
Aggregated PC data confirms a simple reality: Battlefield 6 leads the pack, followed by EA Sports FC 25 and then EA Sports FC 26. Taken together, the two FC titles even surpass Battlefield in volume, cementing EA’s dominance in the premium segment. This hierarchy is explained by three combined levers: a massive installed base in football, a spectacular FPS tuned for multiplayer, and a regular live execution that drives player return each week.
At a fictional European PC retailer, “HexaPlay,” 7 weekends out of 10 saw one of these three titles occupy the top basket spot. Seasonal sales reinforced the effect, but full price held over time, a sign of commercial success driven by perceived value. This situation reduced the maneuvering room of direct competitors on year-end releases.
This traction did not cannibalize the PC offering: instead, it served as an entry point to other ecosystem games via cross-play, thematic updates, and scheduled free trials.
Battlefield 6, EA Sports FC 25, and FC 26: the trio that locks the PC market
In detail, Battlefield 6 captures the impulse of competition and spectacle-oriented players, while EA Sports FC 25 remains the annual anchor of club and FUT communities. EA Sports FC 26, released late, accelerates thanks to real transfers and social features. Together, they occupy the top tier of AAA PC games, week after week.
This dominance also owes to technical support. Anti-cheat updates, network stability, and GPU optimization have reduced access friction. The result: a smooth acquisition funnel, from digital edition to first session, then to in-game spending. The top rank is no accident.
Winning strategies: digital edition, calendar, and data-driven marketing
EA’s success relies on a mastered digital edition. The publisher synchronizes releases, trials, and live events with major sports moments and player availability peaks on PC. Furthermore, dynamic pricing and targeted bundles maximize ARPU without degrading the premium image. Direct access via the EA app, coupled with Steam, broadens touchpoints and facilitates conversion.
On the visibility side, one striking fact remains: Microsoft spent more on advertising in 2025, but Sensor Tower still ranks EA first publisher in PC/console downloads. In other words, targeting and content-community synergy prevail over raw impression volume. The best-sellers validate this approach.
Free-to-play on PC: Skate excels in downloads, but engagement needs to follow
Skate ends the year as the most downloaded free-to-play on PC and console. However, the title ranks only 17th among PC/console games by monthly active users. The gap signals an onboarding needing improvement, or endgame content to densify. Yet, the base is there, and the live iteration curve can close the gap.
On PC, the challenge is to smooth mechanical difficulty and reward creative expression. Community playlists, limited-time street events, and a more granular spot editor would help this retention ramp. The trajectory remains promising if the roadmap aligns quickly.
Once the core loop is reinforced, Skate’s already massive acquisition can convert into lasting retention, then measured monetization.
PC market context 2025: the rise of AA and remasters alongside EA’s AAA
While the headliners belong to EA, the mid-table has not weakened. AA productions and remasters, priced $30–60, fill the PC agenda: ARC Raiders, Split Fiction, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Rematch, and Elden Ring: Nightreign have fed demand between major peaks. This segment, very sensitive to word-of-mouth and rapid updates, fits the PC cycle well.
Additionally, two indies, R.E.P.O. and PEAK, slot behind Battlefield in the global top across all categories. Their breakthrough reminds that a strong identity, clear mechanics, and careful PC optimization can compete with giants. The catalog gains diversity, and thus resilience.
Case study France: EA Sports FC 25 reigns, e-sport amplifies the PC effect
On the French market, EA Sports FC 25 dominated rankings, with around 1.4 million units sold according to locally published estimates. E-sports and community leagues on PC extended exposure, notably through weekly streams and amateur tournaments. At the European level, this kind of activation supports late purchases and engagement outside weekends.
The signal goes beyond France: recognition at the Game Awards 2025 (one award won, several nominations for EA titles) offered a second wave of attention. Specialized press and PC content creators amplified this window and fueled interest in seasonal updates.
- Cross-play and cross-progression: acquisition and retention pivots on PC.
- Bundles and subscriptions: levers to smooth the entry cost of AAA games.
- Managed modding: a UGC engine without breaking competitive balance.
- Anti-cheat and server stability: sine qua non conditions for competitive peak.
- Live calendar tied to major sports events: audience multiplier on PC.
Taken together, these factors explain why EA’s dominance on PC is not only about releases, but about the service architecture around the titles.
Strategic impact for the PC gaming industry in 2026
The 2025 sequence redefines priorities. Publishers reassess advertising efficiency after the spending–downloads gap observed between Microsoft and EA. PC platforms reinforce showcasing social proof (reviews, player peaks) to capitalize on organic momentum. Finally, hybrid distribution, between Steam and proprietary channels, becomes the norm of digital edition.
On the creative front, the success of EA’s AAA titles coexists with an ambitious mid-market. Studios aligning PC optimization, sober live ops, and clear positioning find their place. This is the main lesson of 2025: polarization does not condemn diversity, it demands clean execution.
What are the three EA AAA games leading PC sales in 2025?
According to Sensor Tower’s State of Gaming 2026 report, Battlefield 6, EA Sports FC 25, and EA Sports FC 26 occupy the top of PC best-sellers, with Battlefield 6 holding constant leadership and a strong push from the two FC iterations.
Why does EA dominate PC best-sellers?
A mix of effective digital edition, releases timed with major events, regular live ops, technical PC optimization (network, anti-cheat), and highly targeted marketing. These elements favor conversion, retention, and organic visibility.
Have the indies R.E.P.O. and PEAK changed the hierarchy?
Yes, in the global top across all categories, they reach 2nd and 3rd place behind Battlefield 6. On PC, they confirm that an original and well-optimized proposition can coexist with blockbusters.
Is Skate a commercial success on PC?
Skate is the most downloaded free-to-play title in 2025 on PC/console, validating its acquisition. However, it only ranks 17th by monthly active users; the challenge remains to increase retention via content and playlists.
What PC trends to watch in 2026?
Cross-play, multi-title subscriptions, live content tied to competitions, strengthened anti-cheat, and improved free-to-play onboarding. These levers dictate the next growth phase.