Follow us on Google News
Get the latest updates directly in your Google News feed
Xbox exclusiveSTALKER 2has achieved a major feat by crossing 1 million copies sold, merely three days after the game’s release. To put this into context, PlayStation’sAstro Bot, which was released in September, didn’t cross 1 million copies sold until November, even thoughAstro Bothas been one of the best-reviewed games of 2024 and has a Metacritic score of 94.
Moreover, it is also a contender to win the 2024 GOTY award at the Game Awards next month. On paper,Astro Botseems to be the better game, which leaves us to wonder why it has taken PlayStation’s poster child such a long time to cross the same mark. Let’s take a look.
STALKER 2is available on more platforms thanAstro Bot
No wonder it feels a bit crowdy in the Zone. A million copies were sold, and much more stalkers joined the artifact hunt with Game Pass.This is just the start of our unforgettable adventure. The Heart of Chornobyl emanates stronger with each of us.Thank You, stalkers! ☢️pic.twitter.com/zslF7I8vR1
One reason whySTALKER 2was able to reach 1 million copies sold beforeAstro Botis that it is available on more platforms. WhileAstro Botis exclusive to the PlayStation 5, the newestSTALKERgame can be played on the Xbox Series X/S and PC.
Moreover,Astro Botdid not have a fanbase comparable toSTALKER’s before the game’s full release.STALKER, on the other hand, is a long-running franchise, with the first game being released back in 2007.
There was more buildup to the sequel’s release, and longtime fans of the franchise were desperately waiting to get their hands on it. This advantage in popularity is also responsible forSTALKER 2being able to matchAstro Bot’s sales within three days.
“That was never an option”: STALKER 2 Literally Braved Through Missiles to Make the Game Possible That Would’ve Shut Down Most Studios
Apart from these two reasons, we really can’t draw a comparison as to why one game is selling better than the other. However,Astro Bot’s sales should also start to rise soon as more and more people begin to purchase the PlayStation 5 during the upcoming holiday season.
Did Xbox Game Pass hurt or help the sale ofSTALKER 2?
For those of you who don’t know,STALKER 2was available onGame Passon the day of its launch. So there are a lot of players who were able to play the game without paying for it in the first place.
However, this doesn’t necessarily hurt the game’s sales, because those who wish to have it in their gaming library will end up buying it. Furthermore, this title is so easily accessible that more and more people can check it out for themselves.
The same can’t be said forAstro Bot, as you cannot play the game if you don’t own a PlayStation 5. If the title was on Game Pass, more people would’ve been able to check it out, which would’ve led to an increase in its popularity and demand.
STALKER 2took this route and was able to blowAstro Bot’s sales numbers out of the water. Hypothetically speaking, this wouldn’t have been the case ifSTALKERwas an Xbox exclusive. What do you think aboutSTALKER 2matchingAstro Bot’s sales numbers in merely 3 days? Let us know in the comments below.
Sameer Khan
Articles Published :9
Sameer is a Gaming Content Writer for FandomWire who channels his passion for gaming into engaging stories. When he’s not clicking heads on Counter-Strike, you’re able to find him diving headfirst into music, food flavours, and a bit of everything life has to offer.
