console sales Archives

AppWizard

June 14, 2025

The Outer Worlds 2 director offers the most sympathetic answer I’ve yet heard for the $80 game question: ‘We don’t set the prices for our games,’ and ‘You’d have to honestly talk to the Xbox folks’

Brandon Adler, the director of The Outer Worlds 2, stated that game developers do not set the prices for their games, emphasizing that pricing decisions are made by corporate executives. He expressed a desire for broader accessibility to games but indicated that pricing inquiries should be directed to Xbox executives. The economic landscape has shifted, making home ownership difficult while consumer electronics have become more affordable. Gamers now have various options, including subscription services and budget-friendly hardware. The perceived normal price for games has shifted to the range of to , with being a stretch, particularly for highly anticipated titles. Pricing challenges reflect deeper issues in the gaming industry, including recent layoffs and rising development costs. Obsidian Entertainment has adopted a strategy of working on multiple smaller projects, resulting in more affordable pricing for some titles, while the upcoming Avowed is set at a full retail price. Concerns exist that The Outer Worlds 2’s price might hinder its success, especially given the unclear metrics Microsoft uses to evaluate sales performance.

AppWizard

May 29, 2025

Once an arcade company, Capcom now sells most of its games on PC

Capcom has experienced a significant increase in PC game sales, surpassing console sales for the first time, with PC games accounting for 54% of total sales. In the last fiscal year, Capcom sold over 51 million software units, a 13% increase from the previous year, with 28 million being digital PC games and 18 million digital console games. Monster Hunter Wilds sold over 10 million units shortly after its release, while Monster Hunter World has lifetime sales of over 21 million, making it Capcom's most successful title. The Resident Evil 4 remake has surpassed 10 million in sales. Capcom plans to leverage its back catalog for growth, with recent releases including Onimusha 2 and the Capcom Fighting Collection 2, and Street Fighter 6 set to launch on the Nintendo Switch 2. Despite the growth in PC sales, Capcom expects console revenue to remain slightly higher through 2027, with mobile revenue projected to outpace both PC and console earnings in the future.

AppWizard

May 27, 2025

Capcom reveals its PC game sales overshadow console, and it’s only growing

Capcom's fiscal results for 2024 show that digital sales on PC have surpassed those on consoles, with PC sales at 60% and console sales at 40%. Capcom sold approximately 28.2 million games on PC and 19.5 million on consoles, marking an increase from the previous year when PC sales were 52%. The success of titles like Monster Hunter Wilds contributed to this growth. Additionally, the Resident Evil series has sold 170 million units, and the Monster Hunter series has reached 120 million units. Capcom aims for a 10% growth in operating profit for fiscal year 2026, focusing on digital sales and PC platforms.

AppWizard

May 23, 2025

Embracer Group sees net sales across PC/console and mobile games fall in FY2024/25

Embracer Group's financial results for Q4 ending March 2025 show a decline in net sales to SEK 5.4 billion, down 6% year-on-year. The PC/console segment generated SEK 3 billion (down 2%), while mobile sales were SEK 943 million (down 31%). For the full fiscal year, net sales totaled SEK 22.3 billion, down 18%, with PC/console games at SEK 1.5 billion (down 27%) and mobile at SEK 5.3 billion (down 9%). The total number of game development projects decreased from 141 to 108, and headcount was reduced from 9,692 to 7,180, including 5,378 game developers. Despite these declines, the game Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 sold three million copies. Embracer reported organic growth of 30% in mobile game sales and 22% in PC/console sales. The company plans to release 76 games in FY 2025/26, including notable titles like Killing Floor 3 and Marvel 1943: Rise of the Hydra. A third AAA game has been postponed to 2026/27, and THQ Nordic's studio Campfire Cabal has resumed operations after a closure in 2023.

AppWizard

April 11, 2025

Microtransactions Made Up 58% of PC Video Game Revenue in 2024, Research Shows

Microtransactions account for 58% of total revenue for game companies, with a 1.4% increase in 2024, contributing .4 billion to overall PC gaming sales of .3 billion. Downloadable content (DLC) generated .8 billion in revenue last year, while microtransactions represent 32% of console revenue, amounting to .9 billion out of .8 billion in console sales. Subscription services have risen by 14.1%. PC gaming sales grew by 0.1%, but console gaming revenue declined by 3.9%. Major franchises like Fortnite, Roblox, and Call of Duty exemplify the popularity of microtransactions. The report also notes the trend of "recursive nostalgia," where established franchises reintroduce vintage content to engage players.

AppWizard

March 1, 2025

7 PlayStation Exclusives That Still Aren’t on PC

PlayStation has a strong reputation in the gaming industry due to its exclusive titles, including franchises like Uncharted, The Last of Us, Spider-Man, and God of War, which have historically driven console sales. Recently, PlayStation has begun releasing some exclusives on PC, such as Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 and The Last of Us Part 2, while several key titles remain unavailable on this platform. The original Uncharted trilogy is not on PC, despite Uncharted 4 being available. Bloodborne, a PS4 exclusive, has a dedicated fanbase seeking a remaster for PC. The original God of War trilogy is also absent from PC, although newer titles are available. The Infamous series, Shadow of the Colossus, and Demon’s Souls are other notable titles that have not made the transition to PC, with fans hoping for future releases. Astro Bot is considered the least likely to be released on PC, as it serves more as a promotional tool for PlayStation.

AppWizard

February 19, 2025

Spencer: Xbox isn’t trying to move players away from owning games

Phil Spencer, head of Microsoft's gaming division, clarified that Microsoft is not trying to move players away from game ownership but aims to provide various options for gaming, including traditional ownership and subscription models like Xbox Game Pass. He reassured gamers about the future of hardware and the ability to continue playing their games, emphasizing the company's commitment to maintaining players' libraries through features like backward compatibility and Play Anywhere. Spencer stated that players can purchase any game available on Game Pass, reinforcing the flexibility in gaming experiences. He acknowledged the need for profitability while focusing on maximizing options for gamers. Additionally, he noted that embracing Windows and cloud technology has been crucial for Microsoft's growth, particularly in Asia, where cloud and PC gaming are expanding rapidly.

AppWizard

February 12, 2025

As console exclusivity quietly dies, I’m reaping the rewards on PC

The author owns a PC, Xbox Series S, and Nintendo Switch but does not own a PlayStation 5, despite initially intending to acquire one. They have resisted the urge to buy a PS5 due to the decline of console exclusivity, allowing them to wait for PC releases of titles like Marvel's Spider-Man 2 and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. Historically, most desired PlayStation titles have eventually become available on other platforms, with the exception of Bloodborne. The gaming industry is shifting away from exclusivity, with titles like Forza Horizon 5 moving to PlayStation and Square Enix releasing games like Octopath Traveler across multiple platforms. The author prefers investing in PC games but acknowledges exceptions like GTA 6, which may be a console exclusive, and Nintendo's unique IPs that can only be accessed through their consoles. The gradual decline of console exclusivity is seen as beneficial for both developers and gamers.

AppWizard

February 11, 2025

GTA 6 PC Launch Teased By Rockstar Games’ Parent Company CEO

Strauss Zelnick, CEO of Take-Two Interactive, indicated that GTA 6 may eventually be released on PC, despite its initial exclusive launch on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S in Fall 2025. Historically, Rockstar Games has released titles on consoles first, with PC versions arriving later, as seen with GTA V and Red Dead Redemption 2. Zelnick acknowledged the importance of the PC market, stating that PC sales can account for over 40% of a game's total sales and noted the growing significance of PC gaming in their strategy. He also mentioned the potential for a delay in GTA 6's release into 2026. Take-Two's share price recently reached an all-time high, reflecting investor optimism about GTA 6.

AppWizard

February 11, 2025

Grand Theft Auto VI Could Lose Over 40% of Sales Skipping PC Release This Year; Game Will Meaningfully Drive Console Sales

Take-Two Interactive's CEO, Strauss Zelnick, stated that Grand Theft Auto VI will initially launch on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, with a PC version expected to follow later. He noted that PC versions of multiplatform titles typically account for over 40% of total sales, highlighting the significance of the PC gaming market. Zelnick believes the console-only launch will boost console sales, which have been declining, and positively impact other major releases this year, especially in the U.S. He also mentioned the possibility of delays in the game's release due to its ambitious nature, which may require additional development time.