Gears of War: E-Day Estimated Sales Reach Just 230,000 in First Week, Analyst Says
Xbox console exclusive Gears of War: E-Day is reportedly off to a soft start after reaching an estimated 230,000 copies sold in its first week.
Gears of War: E-Day is experiencing a sluggish start, with only 230,000 copies sold within its first week, according to estimates from Alinea Analytics. The game, an Xbox console exclusive prequel, was available via early access last week and officially launched on Tuesday. Steam sales accounted for 168,000 of the 230,000 copies sold, while Xbox sales, both console and PC, totaled 62,000.
The low sales figures are attributed to the Game Pass subscription service, which analysts believe is "cannibalising much of the premium revenue." Of the nearly 2 million players who accessed the game through Game Pass, 722,000 users paid an additional $30 for the Premium Edition to unlock early access. Overall, revenue from the Xbox ecosystem was estimated at $27 million, with total earnings reaching about $37 million.
The $70 premium SKU has seemingly become ineffective on Xbox, as many players opt for the cheaper Game Pass upgrade. Despite strong reviews from fans and critics, the game's performance on standalone sales is concerning for Xbox, which needs revenue wins. Microsoft has acknowledged the potential negative impact of Game Pass on standalone sales and continues to push the exclusive game as part of their strategy.
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