Plus: Cyberpunk DLC and EA Sports FC Go Huge

The primary focus of this analysis is the commercial performance and market reception of major video game releases and downloadable content during late September 2023. It highlights a significant trend of successful "redemption" arcs and the continued dominance of established sports franchises across PC and console platforms.

Key findings center on the massive success of Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty, which achieved 3,300 positive Steam reviews and drove the base game to 250,000 concurrent users (CCU). This performance, alongside the launch of EA Sports FC 24—which debuted with over 80,000 CCU despite mixed reviews—underscores the resilience of high-budget titles. Other notable performers include the breakout indie hit Underground Blossom and the successful transition of Counter-Strike 2, which inherited a player base of 1.5 million CCU.

The scope of the data covers global Steam performance, U.S. console charts for PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch, and secondary platforms like the Epic Games Store, Meta Quest, and Apple Arcade. Analysis is based on proprietary GameDiscoverCo data, including Steam follower counts, concurrent user peaks, and star rating increases to estimate sales velocity and player engagement.

The findings conclude that while major franchises like NBA 2K24 and Mortal Kombat 1 dominate console downloads, there is significant market room for "cozy" games and niche RPGs. However, the data also warns of the "decay" of long-term wishlists, noting that older titles like Mineko’s Night Market saw lower-than-expected debuts despite high historical interest. Looking forward, the industry anticipates strong performances from Assassin’s Creed Mirage and the Steam release of Ooblets.