May 1st 2024.
Helldivers 2 has become a true powerhouse in the gaming world, thanks to Sony's bold decision to release it on both PlayStation 5 and PC. And it seems like their gamble has paid off, as the game has climbed its way to the top of the charts, becoming one of the highest grossing Sony games of all time.
But if there were any doubts about Helldivers 2's success, they have been put to rest. After dominating the UK charts for two consecutive months, the game's sales data in the US has solidified its position as a Sony giant. According to Circana's data, Helldivers 2 is currently the best-selling premium game of the year, beating out heavy hitters like Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 and Dragon's Dogma 2 in terms of dollar sales across physical and digital platforms.
While its success can be attributed to both PlayStation 5 and PC, it's interesting to note that the majority of its sales have come from the PC market. In fact, the co-op shooter has been ranked as the most played game on Steam in March, based on its monthly active users. This success has not gone unnoticed, with industry analyst Mat Piscatella highlighting the game's impressive performance on PC since its release on February 8.
Piscatella shared on Twitter, "PC has been a huge part of the success of Helldivers 2 in the US. With PC, Helldivers 2 is already the seventh highest grossing Sony published game in history. Without PC it wouldn't currently rank among the top 20."
It's safe to say that Helldivers 2's success will likely pave the way for more simultaneous releases on both PlayStation and PC in the future, as Sony looks to increase their profit margins. And judging by its current trajectory, it's clear that the game has a bright future ahead.
But Helldivers 2 is not the only game making waves in the industry. In fact, March 2024 saw Dragon's Dogma 2 take the top spot as the best-selling premium game, followed by Helldivers 2 and MLB: The Show 24. Other notable titles such as Rise Of The Ronin, Princess Peach: Showtime, and Unicorn Overlord also made it to the top ten list for the month.
Piscatella also shared some interesting data regarding Dragon's Dogma 2, stating that it has already surpassed the lifetime sales of its predecessors, Dragon's Dogma and Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen, combined.
While there were some reports that Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth did not meet Square Enix's sales expectations, it has still performed well in the US market. The sequel currently ranks as the fourth best-selling game of the year, although it has dropped five spots from February to March.
In terms of hardware sales, March saw a 32% decline compared to the previous year, with all major consoles – PlayStation 5, Switch, and Xbox Series X/S – experiencing a decline of at least 30%. The first quarter of 2024 also saw a 24% decrease in hardware sales compared to the same period in 2023.
Despite the decline, PlayStation 5 managed to maintain its position as the best-selling console in both March and the first quarter of the year. The Nintendo Switch came in second in terms of unit sales, while the Xbox Series X/S ranked second in terms of dollar sales due to its higher price point.
But with such a significant drop in sales, it's no surprise that there are already talks of next-generation consoles for both Xbox and PlayStation. Microsoft is reportedly planning to launch a new system in 2026, which could explain why the Xbox Series X/S continues to lag behind the now seven-year-old Switch.
As for Sony, the success of Helldivers 2 is a much-needed boost, especially since the game was developed on a modest budget. This could potentially lead to more live service games and cross-platform releases in the company's future.
What do you think of Helldivers 2's success? Do you think we'll see more simultaneous releases on PlayStation and PC? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below. And don't forget to follow us on Twitter and sign up for our newsletter for all the latest gaming news and releases.
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