Atomfall Proves Profitable at Launch, Sequel in Discussion

Atomfall, developed by Rebellion, has proven to be a smashing success right out of the gate. Launched on March 27, 2025, across PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S, this British survival game saw an impressive 2 million players dive in at release. Interestingly, a significant portion of these players accessed the game through Xbox Game Pass, yet Atomfall still managed to turn a profit immediately upon release.

While specific sales numbers remain under wraps, Rebellion proudly announced that Atomfall marked their biggest launch to date in terms of player engagement. The inclusion on Xbox Game Pass undoubtedly played a role in attracting such a large audience, allowing subscribers to try the game without purchasing it outright.

Despite the Game Pass factor, Atomfall's financial success was undeniable. In a conversation with The Game Business, Rebellion shared that the game recouped its development costs right away. The studio is now exploring possibilities for sequels or spin-offs, all while continuing to support Atomfall with post-launch content and DLC.

Rebellion's CEO, Jason Kingsley, emphasized to GamesIndustry.biz that launching Atomfall on Game Pass did not cannibalize sales but rather amplified its reach. Kingsley highlighted the benefits of Game Pass, stating, "What you gain from that cost is disproportionate." He noted that Microsoft ensures a certain level of income, reducing the financial risk for developers.

Atomfall Review Screens

View 25 ImagesMoreover, Game Pass acts as a powerful marketing tool. Kingsley explained how the service allows players to sample the game, leading to positive word-of-mouth that can drive additional sales. "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,'" he said. This ripple effect can prompt both Game Pass subscribers and non-subscribers to purchase the game to join the conversation.

While the specifics of Microsoft's business arrangements with developers like Rebellion are kept confidential, it's clear that both parties benefit from the arrangement. Microsoft's last reported Game Pass subscriber count was 34 million as of February 2024, illustrating the platform's vast reach.

IGN praised Atomfall in their review, calling it "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."