Atomfall, the British survival game developed by Rebellion, has proven to be an immediate financial success upon its release on March 27, 2025, for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. Despite a significant portion of its 2 million player base coming from Xbox Game Pass subscribers who did not purchase the game outright, Rebellion announced that Atomfall became profitable right away.
The developer highlighted that Atomfall marked their largest launch to date in terms of player engagement, a milestone likely boosted by the accessibility offered through Xbox Game Pass on Xbox and PC platforms. Rebellion's CEO, Jason Kingsley, emphasized in a previous interview with GamesIndustry.biz that the game's inclusion in Game Pass did not cannibalize sales. Instead, it provided a disproportionate benefit due to the guaranteed income from Microsoft, which helps mitigate financial risks.
Kingsley further explained the marketing advantage of Game Pass, noting that it allows players to try the game, leading to positive word-of-mouth recommendations that drive further sales. "With Game Pass, you can get people to try it, then as a result of those people trying it, they like it, and they then tell their mates on social media, 'I found this game on Game Pass, I really enjoyed it, you should have a go,'" he said. This organic promotion encourages both subscribers and non-subscribers to engage with the game, with the latter group potentially purchasing it outright.
While specific sales figures for Atomfall remain undisclosed, Rebellion's discussions about potential sequels, spin-offs, and ongoing post-launch support and DLC indicate strong confidence in the game's future. The confidentiality of Microsoft's business agreements with developers leaves the exact financial benefits for both Rebellion and Microsoft to speculation. However, it is clear that both parties benefit from the increased visibility and player engagement that Game Pass provides.
As of February 2024, Xbox Game Pass had 34 million subscribers, a number that likely contributed significantly to Atomfall's reach and success. IGN's review praised Atomfall as a "gripping survival-action adventure that takes some of the best elements of Fallout and Elden Ring, and synthesizes them into its own fresh mutation," underscoring the game's appeal and potential for sustained popularity.
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