on Xbox consoles and PC, with no plans for a PlayStation release. Bethesda's decision to make Starfield an exclusive title for the Xbox ecosystem has certainly paid off, as the game has quickly become a massive success. Let's take a closer look at what has made Starfield such a hit and why Microsoft is reaping the benefits.
Starfield's Impressive Sales Performance
According to Circana data, Starfield has become the top best-selling premium game in terms of dollar sales since its release on September 6. This achievement is no small feat, considering the competition it faced from popular titles like Warner Bros. Games' Mortal Kombat 1, EA Sports FC 24, and Madden NFL 24. In fact, Starfield was the top paid game last month, outselling these highly anticipated releases.
Not only that, but Starfield has also secured a spot as the seventh best-selling premium game of the year, surpassing other notable titles like Bandai Namco's Elden Ring and Square Enix's Final Fantasy XVI. These impressive sales numbers are a testament to the quality and appeal of Starfield as a game.
Starfield's Impact on Xbox Game Pass
One of the key factors contributing to Starfield's success is its inclusion in the Xbox Game Pass subscription service. Microsoft, which owns Xbox and Bethesda, has confirmed that Starfield's release had a significant positive impact on its business, leading to a spike in the number of Xbox Game Pass subscribers.
During Microsoft's quarterly earnings call, CFO Amy Hood revealed that the company's gaming division saw a 9% spike in revenue, primarily driven by the release of Starfield and the subsequent increase in Xbox Game Pass subscriptions. This is a clear indication that the inclusion of Starfield in Game Pass has attracted a substantial number of players and has been a lucrative move for Microsoft.
Starfield's Record-Breaking Launch
Within just 24 hours of its release, Starfield became Bethesda's biggest game launch of all time. This is a remarkable achievement considering the popularity of Bethesda's previous titles, such as Fallout 76 and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. Bruce Nesmith, a former Bethesda game designer who worked on both Skyrim and Starfield, expressed his delight with the audience reaction to the game in an interview with MinnMax. He stated that as a new IP, Starfield presented even greater challenges than creating Skyrim or the Fallout series due to the need to develop entirely new concepts and content.
Starfield's launch day also set a record for the most Game Pass subscriptions added on a single day ever. This demonstrates the strong demand for the game and the appeal of Xbox Game Pass as a platform for accessing and playing Starfield.
Conclusion
In summary, Starfield's release has been nothing short of a resounding success. Its impressive sales performance, inclusion in Xbox Game Pass, and record-breaking launch have solidified its position as one of the top games of the year. The decision to make Starfield an exclusive title for Xbox and PC has undoubtedly contributed to its success, as it has attracted a significant player base and driven revenue growth for Microsoft's gaming division. As the Starfield journey continues, it will be interesting to see how the game evolves and whether it will continue to break records and captivate players in the months and years to come.
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