According to Rhys Elliott of Alinea Analytics, September 2025 saw major shifts across the gaming landscape, with Skate leading global downloads and Electronic Arts taking a major step toward going private in a $55 billion deal. Between legacy franchises returning and indie hits making their mark, the month highlighted the evolving balance between big-budget titles and community-driven games.
Electronic Arts’ Skate Top Charts
Electronic Arts’ Skate made a dramatic return to the spotlight, topping September’s download charts across PlayStation, Xbox, and Steam. The free-to-play reboot hit over 14 million downloads during its early access launch, marking one of the largest single-month rollouts of the year.
Fifteen years after Skate 3, the series’ revival benefited from a loyal fan base and a strategic free-to-play model that lowered the barrier for new players. The game’s physics-driven sandbox has found a natural home on social platforms, where short-form clips of in-game stunts and fails have fueled its viral appeal. Despite mixed critical reception, engagement has been high—especially on console, where Skate’s legacy remains strongest.
According to data provided by Alinea, console players made up roughly three-quarters of total downloads, with PlayStation at 46.2%, Xbox at 29.1%, and Steam accounting for the remaining 24.7%. Its inclusion on Xbox Game Pass also gave it a major boost, reinforcing how subscription services continue to influence launch performance.
Electronic Arts’ Skate Top Charts
EA FC 26 Sees 9 Million Downloads
EA FC 26 took the number two spot for September, reaching close to 9 million downloads across platforms. The franchise’s latest entry built on the strong momentum of last year’s rebranding, with PlayStation representing the majority of downloads. Xbox accounted for just over a quarter, while Steam saw a smaller but steady audience.
Early sales indicate that FC 26 is outpacing both its predecessor and competing sports titles such as NBA 2K26, Madden 26, and College Football 25. Launch-week data on PlayStation shows a 1.4x increase compared to FC 25’s first-week numbers. The game’s Ultimate Team mode continues to be a major driver of engagement, as players invest early to build competitive squads for the online season ahead.
Electronic Arts’ Skate Top Charts
Hollow Knight: Silksong Preforms Best on Steam
After years of anticipation, Team Cherry’s Hollow Knight: Silksong finally launched in September, amassing 6 million downloads within three weeks. Steam led the way with around 4 million players, while Xbox outperformed PlayStation thanks to Game Pass inclusion.
The game’s performance reinforces how strong word-of-mouth and platform partnerships can elevate indie releases into mainstream success stories. For many players, Silksong’s debut also signaled the end of one of gaming’s most discussed development waits, proving that the franchise’s appeal has endured.
Electronic Arts’ Skate Top Charts
NBA 2K26, Borderlands 4, and More
Outside of the top three, several established franchises continued to perform well. NBA 2K26 landed in fourth with 3.5 million downloads, supported by early access incentives tied to premium editions. Borderlands 4 followed closely, surpassing 3 million downloads and showing particular strength on Steam.
Titles like Delta Force and Dying Light: The Beast each added roughly 2 million downloads, while Arena Breakout Infinite converted a year’s worth of wishlists into an active player base on Steam. On the indie side, PEAK climbed to over a million new downloads, crossing 12 million total sales since its June release. Stardew Valley also reappeared in the charts, boosted by its PlayStation Plus availability and ongoing community-driven popularity.
Electronic Arts’ Skate Top Charts
EA’s $55 Billion Pivot Toward Privacy
Outside of gameplay numbers, September’s biggest corporate headline came from Electronic Arts. The company confirmed its plan to go private in a deal valued at $55 billion, marking one of the most significant moves in gaming this decade.
Analysts suggest that this transition could allow EA to shift its focus toward long-term development and service-based models without the short-term pressures of shareholder expectations. However, some critics have voiced concerns about transparency and potential internal restructuring as the company repositions its operations for a private market.
The decision aligns with EA’s continued investment in live-service ecosystems and cross-platform initiatives, which are evident in the success of both Skate and EA FC 26. As the company adapts to its new structure, its approach to monetization and player engagement will likely set the tone for future industry strategies.
Electronic Arts’ Skate Top Charts
What September Reveals About the Industry
September’s download trends highlight the current state of gaming: live-service and free-to-play models continue to expand, major sports franchises maintain dominance on console, and indie developers can still command massive audiences when timing and accessibility align.
The growing role of subscription platforms like Game Pass and PlayStation Plus also remains clear. These services not only shape download volumes but increasingly influence how players discover and engage with new releases.
With Electronic Arts entering a new corporate phase and several blockbuster titles already making waves, the final months of 2025 are poised to continue this trend of convergence between accessibility, service-driven design, and cross-platform reach.
Source: Rhys Elliott of Alinea Analytics
Here’s the full list of all games mentioned:
- Skate
- Skate 3
- EA FC 26
- FC 25
- NBA 2K26
- College Football 25
- MLB The Show 25
- Madden 26
- Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Delta Force
- Dying Light: The Beast
- Arena Breakout Infinite
- PEAK
- Stardew Valley
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What was the most downloaded game in September 2025? EA’s Skate led the charts in September 2025 with over 14 million downloads across PlayStation, Xbox, and Steam.
How did EA FC 26 perform compared to other sports titles? EA FC 26 sold faster in its first week than NBA 2K26, Madden 26, College Football 25, and MLB The Show 25 combined, showing a 1.4x improvement over last year’s FC 25.
Which indie games performed best in September? Hollow Knight: Silksong and PEAK were the standout indie titles, with Silksong reaching 6 million downloads and PEAK surpassing 12 million total sales.
What is happening with Electronic Arts’ $55 billion deal? EA is going private in a $55 billion transaction aimed at providing more flexibility for long-term projects and live-service strategies.
Which platforms dominated September’s downloads? Console players accounted for most downloads, with PlayStation leading the way, followed by Xbox and Steam. Subscription services like Game Pass and PlayStation Plus also played a significant role in driving engagement.