Atomfall Profitable at Launch, Sequel Plans Discussed

Atomfall, the hit British survival game developed by Rebellion, has proven to be a resounding success upon its release on March 27, 2025, across PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. Despite a significant portion of its 2 million players accessing the game through Xbox Game Pass rather than purchasing it outright, Rebellion announced that Atomfall became "immediately profitable" upon launch.

The developer has not disclosed specific sales figures but highlighted that Atomfall marks their largest launch to date in terms of player engagement. The inclusion on Xbox Game Pass has played a crucial role in this achievement, allowing subscribers to try the game at no additional cost.

In discussions with The Game Business, Rebellion revealed that Atomfall's earnings quickly recouped the game's development costs. The studio is now exploring possibilities for sequels or spin-offs while continuing to support Atomfall with post-launch content and DLC.

Rebellion's CEO, Jason Kingsley, shared insights in an interview with GamesIndustry.biz, emphasizing that launching Atomfall on Game Pass did not cannibalize sales. Instead, it provided a "disproportionate" gain in exposure and a guaranteed income from Microsoft, mitigating financial risks.

Kingsley explained the benefits of Game Pass, noting that it allows players to sample the game, which can lead to positive word-of-mouth and drive further sales. Players who enjoy the game often share their experiences on social media, encouraging both subscribers and non-subscribers to try or purchase Atomfall.

While Microsoft keeps the specifics of its agreements with developers under wraps, the mutual benefits are clear. Microsoft's last reported figure showed Xbox Game Pass with 34 million subscribers as of February 2024, indicating a substantial audience that games like Atomfall can tap into.

IGN's review praised Atomfall as a "gripping survival-action adventure that takes some of the best elements of Fallout and Elden Ring, and synthesises them into its own fresh mutation," underscoring the game's innovative approach to the genre.

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