Avowed's Launch Performance: A Closer Look at Player Numbers and Market Dynamics

The recent launch of Avowed has sparked discussions about player count metrics and their implications for game success. While some titles like Helldivers 2 and Marvel Rivals have seen significant player engagement, others such as Suicide Squad and Concord have not fared as well. Avowed, a new intellectual property (IP) developed by Obsidian Entertainment, presents a unique case due to its multi-platform release strategy. Launched on Steam alongside Xbox Game Pass with cross-purchase capabilities on Battlenet, the game's performance metrics are complex and require a nuanced analysis. Initial data from Steam suggests that Avowed's player numbers might be influenced by factors beyond just platform availability.

Avowed's debut on February 18th saw it peak at 17,171 players on Steam, marking a notable increase from its early access peak of 13,338. This surge in player interest also propelled the game to become the highest-selling title on the platform temporarily. The upcoming weekend is expected to further boost these numbers. Comparisons with other games provide valuable context. For instance, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, despite being a well-known IP, only managed a peak of 12,138 concurrent players. In contrast, blockbuster titles like Starfield and Halo Infinite recorded much higher peaks, with 330,723 and 272,586 players respectively. The Outer Worlds, another RPG from Obsidian, peaked at 20,349 players, offering a closer comparison.

One key factor influencing Avowed's player counts is its inclusion in Xbox Game Pass. Given that Xbox has sold fewer consoles than the PS5 and only a portion of Game Pass’s 34 million subscribers can access day-one launches, the disparity in player numbers is understandable. Moreover, Avowed is a smaller-scale game and a new IP for many players, which could affect its initial reception. Despite this, Microsoft's continued support for Obsidian Entertainment, evidenced by commissioning both Avowed and The Outer Worlds 2, indicates confidence in the studio's capabilities. This suggests that while Avowed may not have met all expectations in terms of player counts or review scores, it does not signal broader issues for the developer or publisher.

In light of these considerations, the performance of Avowed appears to be a mixed bag. While it did achieve impressive sales and player engagement on Steam, the overall player numbers fall short compared to larger titles. However, given the multi-platform nature of its release and the influence of Xbox Game Pass, this outcome is not unexpected. Ultimately, Avowed's launch serves as an interesting case study in how different distribution strategies and market dynamics can impact player engagement. Moving forward, both Obsidian and Microsoft seem poised to continue delivering quality gaming experiences.