Atomfall Profits at Launch, Sequel Discussed

Atomfall, the hit British survival game developed by Rebellion, has achieved remarkable success since 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 player base accessing the game through Xbox Game Pass—meaning they did not purchase the game outright—Atomfall became "immediately profitable" upon launch. Rebellion has not disclosed specific sales figures but emphasized that the game's launch was their largest ever in terms of player numbers, a feat likely boosted by Game Pass subscribers exploring the title on Xbox and PC.

According to Rebellion's statements to The Game Business, Atomfall, set in a post-apocalyptic northern England, quickly recouped its development costs. The studio is now exploring possibilities for sequels or spin-offs while continuing to support Atomfall with post-launch content and DLC. In an earlier conversation with GamesIndustry.biz, Rebellion's CEO Jason Kingsley highlighted that launching Atomfall on Game Pass did not cannibalize sales but rather provided a strategic advantage. Kingsley explained that the subscription model offers a guaranteed income, mitigating financial risks for developers.

Moreover, the exposure provided by Game Pass significantly boosts the game's visibility and potential for word-of-mouth marketing. Kingsley noted that players on Game Pass who enjoy the game often share their experiences on social media, encouraging others to try it out, including those who may not be subscribers and are more likely to purchase the game to join the conversation.

While the specifics of Microsoft's business arrangements with developers remain confidential, it's clear that both Rebellion and Microsoft benefit from Atomfall's popularity, with Microsoft gaining from increased engagement on its Game Pass platform. The last public update on Xbox Game Pass subscribers, from February 2024, reported 34 million users.

In our review, IGN praised Atomfall as a "gripping survival-action adventure that takes some of the best elements of Fallout and Elden Ring, and synthesizes them into its own fresh mutation."

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