Rebellion’s open-world shooter, Atomfall, made its debut in March, entering a competitive landscape that included Hazelight’s cooperative sensation, Split Fiction, and the blockbuster Assassin’s Creed Shadows, which launched just a week prior. Despite these formidable contenders, CEO Jason Kingsley reports that Atomfall has carved out a niche for itself, achieving success beyond the company’s initial expectations. In fact, this positive reception has prompted discussions about potentially expanding the game into a series.
Strategic Insights from Leadership
In a recent conversation with GamesIndustry.biz, Kingsley reflected on the scale of their projects, including Atomfall. When asked if he and CTO Chris Kingsley had struck the right balance, he candidly stated, “I don’t think we got it just right. One of the things Chris and I want to do is repeat success. So we want to do more Sniper Elite, we want to do more Zombie Army, we want to do more Strange Brigade.” As of mid-April, the game has attracted two million players, a figure that exceeds Rebellion’s mid-range estimates. “It’s nice when marketing comes back to you and says ‘yep, we underestimated our high-level success,'” he added.
A significant factor contributing to Atomfall‘s success has been its availability on Microsoft’s Game Pass. This partnership not only enhanced discoverability but also provided the backing of a tech giant. “They brought their skills and their scale to bear on our small project, and it’s done really, really well for them, so they got a good deal, we got a good deal out of it as well,” Kingsley noted.
Moreover, the Game Pass model offers a level of financial assurance. “Without going into details, they guarantee you a certain level of income, regardless of what it will sell for,” Kingsley explained, highlighting the security that comes with such collaborations.
Future Prospects and Pragmatic Decisions
While the performance of Atomfall has been encouraging, the prospect of a sequel hinges on practical considerations rather than mere enthusiasm. “Can we find the resources to do it? I don’t know,” Kingsley admitted. “The idea has always been to have two-thirds sequels and one-third new IP pushing the boundaries.”
However, he acknowledges that pushing creative boundaries comes with significant costs. “We don’t deliberately fit into this mid-range, but that’s what we can do, and what we can do successfully. We literally can’t afford to spend 200 million on making a game. We just don’t have 200 million,” he stated, emphasizing the importance of aligning ambitions with budgetary realities.
Reflecting on Atomfall‘s journey, Kingsley expressed satisfaction with its success, albeit with a hint of surprise. “I played through the whole game last month and, although I had a reasonable time with it, my feelings largely chimed with Fraser’s review,” he said, referencing critiques that noted the game’s superficial similarities to other titles, particularly Fallout. “That shallowness is probably Atomfall‘s defining feature: it’s chock full of systems and obvious inspirations, but it rarely digs into them and struggles to find anything to set itself apart,” he recalled.
