Atomfall, the British survival game developed by Rebellion, has proven to be an immediate financial success upon its release on March 27, 2025, across PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. Despite a significant portion of its 2 million players accessing the game through Xbox Game Pass, rather than purchasing it outright, Rebellion reported that Atomfall became "immediately profitable."
The developer highlighted that Atomfall's launch marked their largest ever in terms of player engagement, likely boosted by the exposure from Xbox Game Pass subscribers. Rebellion did not disclose specific sales figures but emphasized the game's strong performance in covering its development costs right away.
Looking forward, Rebellion is exploring opportunities for sequels or spin-offs while continuing to support Atomfall with ongoing updates and downloadable content (DLC). In discussions with The Game Business, the studio expressed optimism about the game's future.
Rebellion's CEO, Jason Kingsley, in an earlier conversation with GamesIndustry.biz, noted that the inclusion of Atomfall on Game Pass did not negatively impact sales, a phenomenon he described as avoiding "cannibalization." Kingsley emphasized the benefits of Game Pass, explaining that it not only guarantees a baseline income for developers but also significantly expands the game's reach and visibility. This exposure can lead to positive word-of-mouth, encouraging both subscribers and non-subscribers to engage with the game.
The strategic advantage of Game Pass lies in its ability to allow players to try games at no additional cost, potentially driving sales through increased awareness and community recommendations. Kingsley illustrated this by suggesting that satisfied players might share their experiences on social media, prompting others to either subscribe to Game Pass or purchase the game directly.
While the specifics of Microsoft's financial arrangements with developers like Rebellion remain confidential, it's clear that both parties benefit from the model. Microsoft's last public disclosure indicated that Xbox Game Pass had 34 million subscribers as of February 2024, underscoring the service's vast audience.
IGN praised Atomfall in its review, describing it as 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."
Atomfall Review Screens
View 25 Images
