2023 STEAM Concurrent Players (CCU) Official Watch Thread

[AshenOne]

So with 2023 arriving, I was contacted by some folks here to make a thread regarding CCU peaks of new releases of significant games releasing on STEAM this year and I liked the idea so here it goes

Hopefully this thread has some sort of activity as a one single thread which, IMO would be a good idea to keep all new game CCU discussion in.

People can also post Launch Peaks of games they think are significant enough and I'll post their CCU peaks in the OP. So lets start shall we?

These are the Significant games dated to release specifically this year on STEAM..

January 2023:

Game Name:	Release Date:	Price (USD/Euros):	Launch CCU Peak (so far):	Launch CCU Peak (Final):	Other PC Launchers/Platforms at Launch:	On PC Subscription Services at Launch:
One Piece Odyssey	January 13th	$60/60€	Launch period already over	7,545 - Sat - Jan. 14th	None	None
Persona 3 Portable	January 19th	$20/20€	Launch period already over	3,515 - Thu - Jan. 19th	MS Store	PC Gamepass
Forspoken	January 24th	$70/80€	Launch period already over	12,579 - Tue - Jan. 24th	MS Store, EGS	None
Hi-Fi RUSH	January 25th	$30/30€	Launch period already over	6,132 - Sun - Jan. 29th	MS Store, EGS	PC Gamepass
Dead Space Remake	January 27th	$60/60€	Launch period already over	30,925 - Sat - Jan. 28th	EA App, EGS	EA Play Pro

February 2023:

Game Name:	Release Date:	Price (USD/Euro):	Launch CCU Peak (so far):	Launch CCU Peak (Final):	Other PC Launchers/Platforms at Launch:	PC Subscription Services at Launch:
Hogwarts Legacy	February 7th (Deluxe ed. Early-Access), February 10th (Standard ed. Launch)	$70/70€ $60/60€	879,308 - Sun - Feb. 12th	879,308 - Sun - Feb. 12th	EGS	None
Returnal	February 15th	$60/60€	6,691 - Sat - Feb. 18th	6,691 - Sat - Feb. 18th	EGS	None
Wild Hearts	February 16th	$70/70€	28,511 - Sun - Feb. 19th	28,511 - Sun - Feb. 19th	EGS	EA Play and Pro
Atomic Heart	February 21st	$60/60€	38,469 - Tue - Feb. 21st	38,469 - Tue - Feb. 21st	MS Store	PC Gamepass
Like A Dragon: Ishin!	February 21st	$60/60€	8,461 - Sat - Feb. 25th	8,461 - Sat - Feb. 25th	MS Store	None
Company Of Heroes 3	February 23rd	$60/60€	36,646 - Thu - Feb. 23rd	36,646 - Thu - Feb. 23rd	None	None
Sons of the Forest	February 23rd	$30/29€	414,257 - Sun - Feb. 26th	414,257 - Sun - Feb. 26th	None	None
Octopath Traveler II	February 24th	$60/60€	17,008 - Sun- Feb. 26th	17,008 - Sun- Feb. 26th	None	None

March 2023:

Game Name:	Release Date:	Price (USD/Euro):	Launch CCU Peak (so far):	Launch CCU Peak (Final):	Other PC Launchers/Platforms at Launch:	PC Subscription Services at Launch:
Wo-Long: Fallen Dynasty	March 3rd	$60/70€	75,906 - Fri - Mar. 3rd	75,906 - Fri - Mar. 3rd	MS Store	PC Gamepass
Resident Evil 4 Remake	March 23rd	$60/60€	168,191 - Sat - Mar. 25th	168,191 - Sat - Mar. 25th	None	None
The Last Of Us Part 1 (TLOU 1 Remake)	March 28th	$60/60€	36,496 - Tue - Mar. 28th	36,496 - Tue - Mar. 28th	EGS	None

April 2023:

Game Name:	Release Date:	Price (USD/Euro):	Launch CCU Peak (so far):	Launch CCU Peak (Final):	Other PC Launchers/Platforms at Launch:	PC Subscription Services at Launch:
Minecraft Legends	April 18th	$40/40€	5,322 - Tuesday - April 18th	5,322 - Tuesday - April 18th	MS Store	PC Gamepass
Star Wars: Jedi Survivor	April 27th	$70/70€	67,855 - Sunday - April 30th	67,855 - Sunday - April 30th	EA App, EGS	EA Play Pro

May 2023:

Game Name:	Release Date:	Price (USD/Euro):	Launch CCU Peak (so far):	Launch CCU Peak (Final):	Other PC Launchers/Platforms at Launch:	PC Subscription Services at Launch:
RedFall	May 2nd	$70/70€	6,124 - Mon - May 1st	6,124 - Mon - May 1st	MS Store, EGS	PC Gamepass
Age Of Wonders 4	May 2nd	$50/50€	42,877 - Sun - May 7th	42,877 - Sun - May 7th	EGS	None

June 2023:

Game Name:	Release Date:	Price (USD/Euro):	Launch CCU Peak (so far):	Launch CCU Peak (Final):	Other PC Launchers/Platforms at Launch:	PC Subscription Services at Launch:
Street Fighter VI	June 1st	$60/60€	70,573 - Fri - June 2nd	70,573 - Fri - June 2nd	None	None

July 2023:

Game Name:	Release Date:	Price (USD/Euro):	Launch CCU Peak (so far):	Launch CCU Peak (Final):	Other PC Launchers/Platforms at Launch:	PC Subscription Services at Launch:
Exoprimal	June 1st	$60/60€	4,522 - Sun - Jul 16th	4,522 - Sun - Jul 16th	MS Store	PC Gamepass
Remnant II	July 22nd(Early Access) July 25th(Launch)	$50/50€	110,856- Sun - Jul 29th	110,856- Sun - Jul 29th	EGS	None
Rachet & Clank: Rift Apart	July 26th	$60/60€	8,757 - Wed - Jul 26th	8,757 - Wed - Jul 26th	EGS	None

August 2023:

Game Name:	Release Date:	Price (USD/Euro):	Launch CCU Peak (so far):	Launch CCU Peak (Final)	Other PC Launchers/Platforms at Launch:	PC Subscription Services at Launch:
Baldur's Gate 3	October 6th, 2020(Early Access), August 3rd(1.0 Launch)	$60/60€	875,343-Sun-Aug 13th	875,343-Sun-Aug 13th	GOG	None
Atlas Fallen	August 10th	$50/50€	2,679-Fri-Aug 11th	2,679-Fri-Aug 11th	GOG	None
Immortals Of Aveum	August 22nd	$60/60€	751-Tue-Aug 22nd	751-Tue-Aug 22nd	EA Launcher, EGS	EA Play Pro
Armored Core VI	August 25th	$60/60€	156,171-Sat-Aug 26th	156,171-Sat-Aug 26th	None	None
Sea Of Stars	August 29th	$35/34€	8,635-Sun-Sept 3rd	8,635-Sun-Sept 3rd	None	None

September 2023:

Game Name:	Release Date:	Price (USD/Euro):	Launch CCU Peak (so far):	Launch CCU Peak (Final)	Other PC Launchers/Platforms at Launch:	PC Subscription Services at Launch:
Starfield	September 2nd, 2023(Early Access), September 6th (1.0 Launch)	$100/100€, $70/70€	330,723-Sun-Sept 10th	330,723-Sun-Sept 10th	MS Store	PC Gamepass
Mortal Kombat 1	September 19th	$70/70€	38,129-Wed-Sept 20th	38,129-Wed-Sept 20th	EGS	None
Lies Of P	September 19th	$60/60€	19,618-Sun-Sept 24th	19,618-Sun-Sept 24th	MS Store	PC Gamepass
Payday 3	September 21st	$40/40€	77,938-Thu-Sept 21st	77,938-Thu-Sept 21st	MS Store, EGS	PC Gamepass
EA Sports FC 24	September 29th	$70/70€	82,287-Fri-Sept 29th	82,287-Fri-Sept 29th	EGS, EA launcher	EA Play

October 2023:

Game Name:	Release Date:	Price (USD/Euro):	Launch CCU Peak (so far):	Launch CCU Peak (Final)	Other PC Launchers/Platforms at Launch:	PC Subscription Services at Launch:
Forza Motorsport	October 5th(Early Access), October 10th (1.0 Launch)	$100/100€, $70/70€	4,703-Tue-Oct 10th	4,703-Tue-Oct 10th	MS Store	PC Gamepass
Total War: Pharaoh	October 11th	$60/60€	5,424-Wed-Oct 11th	5,424-Wed-Oct 11th	EGS	None
Lords Of The Fallen	October 13th	$60/60€	43,075-Fri-Oct 13th	43,075-Fri-Oct 13th	EGS	None
Love is all around	October 18th	$9/9.75€	65,435-Sun-Oct 29th	65,435-Sun-Oct 29th	None	None
Cities: Skylines 2	October 24th	$50/50€	104,697-Tue-Oct 24th	104,697-Tue-Oct 24th	MS Store, GOG	PC Gamepass
Ghostrunner 2	October 26th	$40/40€	2,264-Fri-Oct 27th	2,264-Fri-Oct 27th	EGS, GOG	None

November 2023:

Game Name:	Release Date:	Price (USD/Euro):	Launch CCU Peak (so far):	Launch CCU Peak (Final)	Other PC Launchers/Platforms at Launch:	PC Subscription Services at Launch:
Football Manager 2024	November 6th	$60/60€	86,385-Sun-Nov 12th	86,385-Sun-Nov 12th	EGS	None
Like A Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name	November 8th	$50/50€	13,737-Sat-Nov 11th	13,737-Sat-Nov 11th	MS Store	PC Gamepass
Call Of Duty Modern Warfare 3	November 10th	$70/70€	TBC	TBC	Battle.net	None
Persona 5: Tactica	November 16th	$60/60€	4,344-Nov 17th	4,344-Nov 17th	MS Store	PC Gamepass

December 2023:

No significant games set to release in December as of yet.

 

[Lelouch0612]

Thanks a lot Ashen for this incredible OP. Lots of interest surrounding Steam CCU numbers as evidenced by the Hogwart's thread:

Hogwarts Legacy's Steam CCU watch thread

There are currently more than 320,000 concurrent users on Steam. It's particularly impressive given that only the Deluxe Edition version is currently being tracked rather than the standard version, which will be released on February 10. Edit: over 400K right now.

www.installbaseforum.com

Redirecting that conversation here !

 

[NediarPT88]

These are currently the top 20 games with the highest CCU (as of 12 February 2022):

 

[nextgeneration]

Cool idea and definitely a thread that I can see many people constantly revisiting in the future when new releases come out. Can we also suggest games that might be worthwhile to be added here? For example, I think it would be worthwhile to include Hi Fi Rush in here. This game took many people by surprise, and I'd consider it a fairly significant release.

 

[Xevross]

Great idea for a thread, will mean we can focus on how some smaller games are doing on top of all the record breakers.

 

[Lelouch0612]

@AshenOne I wonder if it is possible to include when the game peaked. Wherease it was launch day, 1st Saturday, 1st Sunday etc.

Would give an information on the game's legs potential.

 

[Himura Kenshin]

Great thread, got some really interesting titles coming up.

 

[AshenOne]

@AshenOne I wonder if it is possible to include when the game peaked. Wherease it was launch day, 1st Saturday, 1st Sunday etc.

Would give an information on the game's legs potential.

I definitely thought of it but then it would get complicated like how we would determine would day and time the peak would have and we have people from different time zones checking this out..

What I think i will do is add the day and date which translates to North American has majority of sales and players come from there regardless for the most part.

Great idea for a thread, will mean we can focus on how some smaller games are doing on top of all the record breakers.

I think the focus will be the games that are quite significant to the people here. They can list them in this thread and I'll eventually if not asap, add them to the table.

Cool idea and definitely a thread that I can see many people constantly revisiting in the future when new releases come out. Can we also suggest games that might be worthwhile to be added here? For example, I think it would be worthwhile to include Hi Fi Rush in here. This game took many people by surprise, and I'd consider it a fairly significant release.

Hi-Fi Rush added.

 

[nextgeneration]

Hi-Fi Rush added.

Thanks! Thanks again for creating this thread. I look forward to revisiting this thread in the future when new releases come out.

 

[Lelouch0612]

I would also like to add the following games:

- Octopath Traveler II (Feb 24th)
- Minecraft Legends (April 12th)
- Sea of Stars (August 29th)

 

[Lelouch0612]

It has started

 

[allan-bh]

Numbers don't stop to going up.

 

[cw_sasuke]

What a great thread !!

Hogwarts Steam is gonna benefit massively from being next-gen only on consoles for now so a lot of people will chose to go with the PC release now, instead of waiting.

 

[Himura Kenshin]

What a great thread !!

Hogwarts Steam is gonna benefit massively from being next-gen only on consoles for now so a lot of people will chose to go with the PC release now, instead of waiting.

It will be equally big if not bigger on next-gen only consoles.

 

[Astandahl]

Imagine the numbers with a single release date.
This is looking fantastic for WB.

 

[NediarPT88]

Cool idea and definitely a thread that I can see many people constantly revisiting in the future when new releases come out. Can we also suggest games that might be worthwhile to be added here? For example, I think it would be worthwhile to include Hi Fi Rush in here. This game took many people by surprise, and I'd consider it a fairly significant release.

I made this post in another place some days ago and I think it's relevant here, due to how low Hi-Fi peak is which can lead people to think it didn't do that great.

Peak CCU isn't always a good metric to judge sales and Hi-Fi is a good example why.

I'm going to use Forspoken for comparison because it came out a day earlier and had a 12.5k peak (around double than Hi-Fi).

In its launch week that game placed 22 in the top sellers (by revenue) while Hi-Fi Rush placed at 9 despite being less than half the price (and before people bring up Forspoken pre-orders, in the weeks before launch the game placed 29 and 86, so they aren't really that relevant).

Week after launch Forspoken was out of the top 100 while Hi-Fi is still near the top. Right now Forspoken only has ~2.8k reviews while Hi-Fi already has ~7k.

Hi-Fi rush CCU is also curious because it has a similar peak twice a day. Right now it's fluctuating between 4-5k.

The game was shadowdropped so people weren't really aware of it like a normal release. The game is basically selling due to great reviews and word-of-mouth.

Another example could be Hollow Knight, which is a massive seller on Steam (240k+ reviews) and only last year it managed to break the 20k peak CCU (and before that it hadn't even reached 15k).

So yeah, while peak is important it really doesn't tell the whole story and you need to observe other data as well to be able to make a better judgement.

 

[nextgeneration]

I made this post in another place some days ago and I think it's relevant here, due to how low Hi-Fi peak is which can lead people to think it didn't do that great.

Agree. CCU count doesn't tell the whole story. I would bet money that Hi Fi Rush has outsold Forspoken on Steam at this point, despite Hi Fi Rush having half the peak CCU count of Forspoken. But since we can't track sales numbers via SteamDB, CCU count would be the next best thing (behind sales). For me, CCU count is much more relevant for multiplayer/live service games. Nevertheless, CCU is still a relevant and interesting metric, and it's always interesting/fascinating to see how many people are playing a particular game at any point in time.

 

[awng782]

With the standard edition having launched, Hogwarts Legacy is now at 640K+ CCUs and rising.

 

[AshenOne]

I would also like to add the following games:

- Octopath Traveler II (Feb 24th)
- Minecraft Legends (April 12th)
- Sea of Stars (August 29th)

Added.

 

[nextgeneration]

With the standard edition having launched, Hogwarts Legacy is now at 640K+ CCUs and rising.

The game has also been in Steam's top 100 sellers for 10 weeks in a row now. This will easily be one of the top 3 sellers for 2023.

 

[Baki]

The game has also been in Steam's top 100 sellers for 10 weeks in a row now. This will easily be one of the top 3 sellers for 2023.

Yes, even has a good shot at being #1.

 

[cw_sasuke]

It will be equally big if not bigger on next-gen only consoles.

For sure, i wasn't saying it's gonna be bigger on Steam than on NG consoles, just that the former is gonna benefit from the initial launch being next-gen only on consoles.

You either on one of the new consoles or PC.

 

[nextgeneration]

Yes, even has a good shot at being #1.

Yup, I also think it has a very realistic chance at being #1. I said top 3 just to give me some leeway. lol.

 

[Jorge]

Yup, I also think it has a very realistic chance at being #1. I said top 3 just to give me some leeway. lol.

I imagine the switch version (more than the cross gen version) will give it a big boost too.

I know a couple of friend who are waiting to play it there...including me :3 (please be a good port please! Please!)

And Im extremelly happy to see the reception it has gotten on PC with an "extremelly positive score" with over over 11k reviews so far (95%)

 

[Lelouch0612]

Today's peak for Hogwart's ended up being 693.454

It should grow further during the week-end.

 

[Bodokoh]

Can't wait to see this weekend numbers for Hogwart Legacy. It has a chance to be push around 1M ccu.

 

[Vena]

700k already, not even the weekend and glowing Steam reviews. Really curious how high this will go.

 

[Baki]

700k already, not even the weekend and glowing Steam reviews. Really curious how high this will go.

Elden Ring did 935K. I think it beats that.

 

[Linkmarco]

Incredible, how many copies will sell on its first week, I think not less than 5mill

 

[Baki]

Incredible, how many copies will sell on its first week, I think not less than 5mill

Edit: I think it sells 12 million in the first week.

 

[nextgeneration]

I just want to add that while it's nice to be able to compare CCU counts amongst all the new releases in this one thread, at the same time, this thread also serves the purpose of compiling all the significant releases for 2023 as well! It's a great way to stay up to date on all the significant, new releases coming out this year.

 

[Bodokoh]

Incredible, how many copies will sell on its first week, I think not less than 5mill

Should be around 8-10 million units.

 

[Ryuichi Naruhodo]

Thanks a lot @AshenOne For the Cool Thread , That will be interesting watch throughout the Year

If I have to suggest Two Columns to add to enhance the thread , is to add a column that specify whether the game is only on Steam for PC or it is on other platforms on PC , that way Readers can have an idea whether this is the Full power of the game on PC or it is Most of its power but the remaining power are on other platforms , Another Similar Column is whether the game is on a Sub service or not

Like this for Example for the first 3 months

January 2023:

Game Name:	STEAM Release Date:	STEAM Price (USD/Euros):	STEAM Launch CCU Peak (so far):	STEAM Launch CCU Peak (Final):	Steam Only	Subscription Service
One Piece Odyssey	January 13th	$60/60€	Launch period already over	7,545	Yes	No
Persona 3 Portable	January 19th	$20/20€	Launch period already over	3,515	MS Store	Gamepass PC
Forspoken	January 24th	$70/80€	Launch period already over	12,579	EGS , MS Store	No
Hi-Fi RUSH	January 25th	$30/30€	Launch period already over	6,132	EGS , MS Store	Gamepass PC
Dead Space Remake	January 27th	$60/60€	Launch period already over	30,925	EA Store , EGS	EA Play

February 2023:

Game Name:	STEAM Release Date:	STEAM Price (USD/Euro):	STEAM Launch CCU Peak (so far):	STEAM Launch CCU Peak (Final):	Steam Only	Subscription Service
Hogwarts Legacy	February 7th (Deluxe ed. Early-Access), February 10th (Standard ed. Launch)	$70/70€ $60/60€	653,593	Launch period yet to be over	EGS	No
Returnal	February 15th	$60/60€	To be released	To be released	EGS	No
Wild Hearts	February 16th	$70/70€	To be released	To be released	EA Store , EGS	EA Play
Atomic Heart	February 21st	$60/60€	To be released	To be released	MS Store	Gamepass PC
Like A Dragon: Ishin!	February 21st	$60/60€	To be released	To be released	MS Store	No
Company Of Heroes 3	February 23rd	$60/60€	To be released	To be released	Yes	No
Octopath Traveler II	February 24th	$60/60€	To be released	To be released	Yes	No

March 2023:

Game Name:	STEAM Release Date:	STEAM Price (USD/Euro):	STEAM Launch CCU Peak (so far):	STEAM Launch CCU Peak (Final):	Steam Only	Subscription Service
Wo-Long: Fallen Dynasty	March 3rd	$60/70€	To be released	To be released	MS Store	Gamepass PC
Resident Evil 4 Remake	March 23rd	$60/60€	To be released	To be released	Yes	No
The Last Of Us Part 1 (TLOU 1 Remake)	March 28th	$60/60€	To be released	To be released	EGS	No

 

[SoonyXboneUhh]

Thought this game would be big, but this huge mega hit?
Impressive.

 

[MysticGon]

Great thread. Forspoken had the last laugh over Hi-Fi Rush.

 

[DarkDetective]

Definitely following this thread, what a great idea!

 

[AshenOne]

Thanks a lot @AshenOne For the Cool Thread , That will be interesting watch throughout the Year

If I have to suggest Two Columns to add to enhance the thread , is to add a column that specify whether the game is only on Steam for PC or it is on other platforms on PC , that way Readers can have an idea whether this is the Full power of the game on PC or it is Most of its power but the remaining power are on other platforms , Another Similar Column is whether the game is on a Sub service or not

Like this for Example for the first 3 months

Thats a really good idea..I'll add these.

EDIT:

@Ryuichi Naruhodo @Lelouch0612

Added the stuff you wanted to add in the above table, you can check now .

 

[Lelouch0612]

Thats a really good idea..I'll add these.

EDIT:

@Ryuichi Naruhodo @Lelouch0612

Added the stuff you wanted to add in the above table, you can check now .

You rock !

 

[Megiddo]

Huh, the standard edition for Hogwarts Legacy doesn't seem to have pushed the line on the graph anywhere near as high as I thought it might. I guess by offering that early release date a lot higher percentage jumped on the deluxe edition than would have normally. Still an absolute overwhelming success of course, but it's at least not now looking likely to surpass Elden Ring if current graph patterns shake out.

(And minutes after I post this, the numbers start spiking upwards, so maybe this game will have a much heavier western hemisphere than eastern hemisphere influence than a normal Steam release)

 

[Jorge]

Huh, the standard edition doesn't seem to have pushed the line on the graph anywhere near as high as I thought it might. I guess by offering that early release date a lot higher percentage jumped on the deluxe edition than would have normally. Still an absolute overwhelming success of course, but it's at least not now looking likely to surpass Elden Ring if current graph patterns shake out.

Didnt it took a week for Elden Ring to reach its peak? Not saying the same will happen with HL and it may end up peaking tomorrow but I think its to early to say that.


As of this comment HL got 741.435 players.

 

[awng782]

With the standard edition having launched, Hogwarts Legacy is now at 640K+ CCUs and rising.

Just crossed 750K. Now the 8th highest CCU ever for any Steam game.

 

[DarkDetective]

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive hit a new ATH at 1.320.219 players earlier today.

 

[AshenOne]

I just want to add that while it's nice to be able to compare CCU counts amongst all the new releases in this one thread, at the same time, this thread also serves the purpose of compiling all the significant releases for 2023 as well! It's a great way to stay up to date on all the significant, new releases coming out this year.

Yeah, I thought of initially only doing the latest releases but if you're gonna do something then do it right..so I wanted to be comprehensive as much as I can.

 

[Ryuichi Naruhodo]

Thats a really good idea..I'll add these.

EDIT:

@Ryuichi Naruhodo @Lelouch0612

Added the stuff you wanted to add in the above table, you can check now .

Thats pretty cool , Thanks for the implementation

A minor correction i want to add is that Star Wars Jedi Survivor will release on EGS too

 

[Stygr]

800k now for Hogwarts Legacy.

It's kinda funny how the biggest SP launches on Steam are all "open world RPGs"; Cyberpunk 2077, Elden Ring, Hogwarts Legacy and Fallout 4.

 

[Lelouch0612]

800k now for Hogwarts Legacy.

It's kinda funny how the biggest SP launches on Steam are all "open world RPGs"; Cyberpunk 2077, Elden Ring, Hogwarts Legacy and Fallout 4.

And all these franchises had a big PC history, present since their inception there.

 

[Astandahl]

800k is unreal when you factor in that the publisher and the IP never had a huge "story" on PC and Steam, the deluxe edition has been released a few days earlier and the port is also far from perfect.

We are looking at a massive launch for sure.

 

[AshenOne]

800k now for Hogwarts Legacy.

It's kinda funny how the biggest SP launches on Steam are all "open world RPGs"; Cyberpunk 2077, Elden Ring, Hogwarts Legacy and Fallout 4.

But if you look closely they're not run of the mill open worlds but worlds that are striking enough to immerse you in themselves..

And as for 800K number reached.. I HOPED for it but didn't expect it to reach it. it was dying big around the late 780 thousands... but suddenly started an upwards curve..interesting stuff.

 

[Lelouch0612]

800k is unreal when you factor in that the publisher and the IP never had a huge "story" on PC and Steam, the deluxe edition has been released a few days earlier and the port is also far from perfect.

We are looking at a massive launch for sure.

The PC versions of the early Harry Potter game were definitely popular since the start:

Philosopher's Stone received positive sale figures, despite mixed reviews. From November 2001, to February 2002 it was listed as one of the top three highest-selling PC video games, and was the top selling PC title in December 2001.[83][84][85] In February 2002, the NPD Group listed it as the third top-selling PC game of 2001 after being available for only two months in North America.[86][87] North American sales of its computer version reached 867,481 units by the end of 2001, which drew revenues of $24.6 million

In the United States alone, The Philosopher's Stone's computer version sold 1.3 million copies and earned $33.9 million by August 2006, after its release in November 2001. It was the country's fourth best-selling computer game between January 2000 and August 2006. Combined sales of all Harry Potter computer games released between January 2000 and August 2006, including The Philosopher's Stone, had reached 2.7 million units in the United States by the latter date.

 

[Hitotsunagi]

Elden Ring is the interesting one, because it all started with a botched PC port fixed by fans that still got by on the strength of the game and dedication of the fanbase (and of course, continued support). And 4 games later, that's the result. Very interesting trajectory.

It really sucks that seeing a Harry Potter game breaking records like that leaves such a bad taste in my mouth nowadays. I wish I were celebrating an interesting sales phenomenon of a franchise I once cared deeply about, but now every news is more like another twist of the knife. Oh well.