What's Happening?
Housemarque's latest game, Saros, has launched to generally favorable reviews, including a four-star rating from Eurogamer. Despite this, the game's initial sales have been slower compared to the company's previous title, Returnal. According to Rhys Elliott,
head of market analysis at Alinea Analytics, Saros has sold 300,000 copies and generated over $22 million in revenue. However, this performance is considered slower than expected, especially given the larger PlayStation 5 user base of approximately 93 million, compared to 8 million when Returnal was released in 2021. Elliott suggests that early PS5 adopters were more eager to purchase new games at full price, which may have contributed to Returnal's stronger launch. Additionally, Saros faces competition from other successful PS5 titles like Crimson Desert and Resident Evil Requiem.
Why It's Important?
The slower sales of Saros raise concerns about Housemarque's ability to recoup its reported $76 million development budget. This situation highlights the challenges faced by game developers in a competitive market, where even well-reviewed titles can struggle to achieve financial success. The performance of Saros could influence future decisions by Sony regarding its strategy for game releases, particularly the potential reconsideration of making games console-exclusive. The game's initial sales figures also underscore the importance of timing and market conditions in the gaming industry, as Saros competes not only with new releases but also with a backlog of existing PlayStation titles.
What's Next?
Housemarque may need to explore additional strategies to boost Saros' sales, such as considering a PC release, similar to what was done with Returnal. This could help tap into a broader audience and improve the game's financial performance. Sony's decision on whether to maintain its console-exclusive strategy or revert to a more inclusive release approach could significantly impact Saros' long-term success. Additionally, ongoing player engagement and completion rates, which are reportedly higher for Saros than for Returnal, may provide a foundation for future marketing and sales efforts.
