Atomfall Proves Profitable at Launch, Sequel in Discussion

Atomfall, the hit British survival game developed by Rebellion, has proven to be a significant success right from its launch on March 27, 2025. Available across PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S, the game quickly became "immediately profitable," as stated by Rebellion, despite a portion of its 2 million players accessing it via Xbox Game Pass rather than purchasing it outright.

While specific sales figures remain undisclosed, Rebellion has celebrated Atomfall as its largest launch in terms of player engagement. The inclusion on Game Pass has undoubtedly played a role in boosting these numbers, offering a platform for subscribers to easily try the game.

Despite the potential for Game Pass to impact direct sales, Rebellion reported to The Game Business that Atomfall recouped its development costs right away. The studio is now exploring opportunities for sequels or spin-offs, alongside continuing to support Atomfall with post-launch content and DLC.

In discussions with IGN's sister site, GamesIndustry.biz, Rebellion's CEO Jason Kingsley highlighted the strategic advantage of launching on Game Pass. He explained that the service helps mitigate the risk of "cannibalising" sales, as Microsoft ensures a "certain level of income" for developers. Moreover, Game Pass serves as a powerful marketing tool, exposing the game to a broader audience and fostering positive word-of-mouth, which can drive additional sales.

Kingsley noted, "With Game Pass, you can get people to try it, then as a result of those people trying it, they like it, and they then tell their mates on social media, 'I found this game on Game Pass, I really enjoyed it, you should have a go.' And then some of them are on Game Pass, and will [play] it. But some of them aren't on Game Pass, and will also want to be part of that conversation. So, they'll go and buy it."

The exact financial details of Rebellion's agreement with Microsoft remain confidential, leaving the specifics of Atomfall's earnings a mystery. However, both parties benefit from the game's success, particularly Microsoft, as popular titles on Game Pass attract more subscribers. The last public update from Microsoft reported 34 million Game Pass users as of February 2024.

IGN's review praised Atomfall, describing it 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."

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