Atomfall Profits Soar at Launch, Sequel in Discussion

Atomfall, the critically acclaimed British survival game developed by Rebellion, has proven to be a major success right out of the gate. According to the developer, the game turned *immediately profitable* following its launch on March 27, 2025, across PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S — even though a significant portion of its 2 million players accessed it via Xbox Game Pass.

While exact sales figures have not been disclosed, Rebellion has confirmed that Atomfall marks its most successful launch to date in terms of player numbers. Much of this can be attributed to the exposure gained through Xbox Game Pass, which allowed millions of subscribers to try the title without making a direct purchase.

Despite concerns that Game Pass could potentially eat into traditional sales, Rebellion’s CEO Jason Kingsley has voiced confidence in the platform's ability to boost visibility without harming revenue. Speaking with GamesIndustry.biz, he noted that being part of Game Pass helped avoid the risk of "cannibalizing" sales, thanks in part to Microsoft’s financial guarantees.

“What you gain from that cost is disproportionate,” Kingsley explained. “Microsoft does guarantee a certain level of income, which reduces the risk.”

The Game Pass inclusion also played a crucial role in marketing the game to a broader audience, creating a ripple effect that fueled organic word-of-mouth promotion. As more players tried the game through the service, many shared their experiences on social media, encouraging others — both within and outside the Game Pass ecosystem — to give it a shot.

“You can get people to try it, and as a result, they like it and tell their mates on social media, ‘I found this game on Game Pass, I really enjoyed it, you should have a go,’” Kingsley added. “Some of them are on Game Pass and will play it, but others aren’t — and those players may still want to join the conversation by buying the game outright.”

Looking Ahead: Sequels, Spin-offs & DLC

With the game already profitable and receiving strong critical praise — including comparisons to genre greats like Fallout and Elden Ring — Rebellion is now exploring future opportunities. The studio is currently evaluating ideas for potential sequels or spin-off titles while continuing to support Atomfall with post-launch updates and downloadable content.

Although the financial details of Microsoft’s Game Pass agreements remain confidential, it's clear that the partnership has benefited both parties. For Microsoft, Atomfall serves as another compelling reason for gamers to subscribe, while for Rebellion, it represents a new creative and commercial high-water mark.

As of February 2024, Xbox Game Pass had reached an impressive 34 million subscribers — a figure that continues to grow and expand the reach of games like Atomfall far beyond what traditional launches might achieve.

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“Atomfall is 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,” wrote IGN in our official Atomfall review.