300°

Starfield Tops 13 Million Players, 40 Hour Average Playtime Per Player

This figure is up from 12 million players on December 2, 10 million players on September 19 and six million players as of the morning of September 7.

EasilyTheBest152d ago ShowReplies(1)
Lightning77152d ago

A million up from the 2nd of December. Clearly has to be Christmas gifting going on. Another million less than a month is interesting to say the least.

Cacabunga152d ago

Reminds me of the number of miles players drove on forza and headshots in halo.,

darthv72152d ago

Typical sales just show units sold, it doesnt show how people are enjoying what they bought. For some/many, they buy something and never really use it. When you see things like headshots or miles driven or webs slung... it shows real engagement. Those can be interesting.

Cacabunga152d ago

Darth

What you are saying makes no sense.. sounds like xbox actually care about games to have fun.. they stopped sharing sales numbers at the end of 360 era when sony and nintendo annihilated them sales wise.

You really believe board meeting slides will be about number of headshots? Why so delusional?

darthv72151d ago

@Caca... I simply said this stuff could be interesting. If a game sells 1m units... that's about all you know of it. you don't know what percentage are actually playing it. You do when they give other stats like the stuff being done in the game. If that 1m units results in something like 400m miles driven... that tells you people ARE playing it and getting some enjoyment out of it.

the whole point of gaming is to enjoy it... how does that not make sense when they talk stats?

Christopher151d ago

***Typical sales just show units sold, it doesnt show how people are enjoying what they bought.***

I think achievements/trophies do that well enough. Putting an hour label on it isn't that accurate considering how long it takes certain games versus others.

Cacabunga151d ago

Chris

I strongly disagree.. there are games i played for almost humdred hours and still had 0% in trophies..

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 151d ago
Palitera151d ago

One of my most played games has millions of players as well. It's kind of free too.
Also one of my most unsuccessful games ever lol

Sonic1881150d ago

I have wondered for a while how some people played Starfield for so many hours. So I checked mine, it said 1D 2H 23M ( 26,23 ) feels waaaay more than I played, So when I check my save file on the Xbox it says (18:50) and that feels way more accurate. So how could that be? I tried having the game in quick resume seems to be working in rest mode to and voila, it counts. So when someone show you their stats from the achievement menu, ask them for a pic for the save file. Surprised…

Jingsing152d ago Show
anast152d ago

They did say it takes a 150hrs to actually get into it.

Seraphim151d ago

That's what annoys me with these numbers. 13 mil with an average of 40 hours doesn't really paint any meaningful picture. How many played for hundreds or even thousands of hours and how many played for 20 or less... it's MS number shenanigans at its finest. Find a way to make the numbers look more impressive than they are...

--Onilink--151d ago

Its a mathematical average…. It tells exactly what an average is supposed to say…

Number of hours played / number of players

Of course there will be players with more than the average and those with less, but it will still average to same amount among the 13 million

TiredGamer150d ago

The median number of hours would be a more meaningful statistic. Otherwise you can have a segment of players that will completely blow the numbers out of the water.

DarXyde152d ago

Nah, I believe it.

It's a Bethesda game on Xbox and PC.

It just gets murky when we're talking about "players". Those aren't sales. It's sales, Game Pass, and possibly multiple accounts per single device. Death Standing also reached 16M players, but we don't know how to interpret that at all.

But even PlayStation reported sales are confusing because Portal counts as console sales too.

It's all weird.

Cockney152d ago

Portal doesn't count as a ps5 sale, c'mon you know this, playstation has asked that the portal be counted as a separate console, not too difficult for you to comprehend surely

CantThinkOfAUsername152d ago

Death Stranding sold 4.1M as of Feb 2022 per Insomniac leaks.

shinoff2183151d ago (Edited 151d ago )

You got a link for that counting as a ps5 sale.

DarXyde151d ago

@Cockney and @shinoff2183,

Seems you're right: ( https://www.pushsquare.com/...

I never saw the follow-up articles. Only that it would be tracked as a console sale. Fair enough, point well made.

@CantThinkOfAUsername,

If true, February of last year is quite a while ago. I'm sure sales have increased since then, but definitely not +12M. plenty of borrowers and used market, I suspect. Starfield I think is different. My guess would be 2-3M sales 6-8M Game Pass, and the rest being secondary accounts on the same device.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 151d ago
Crows90152d ago (Edited 152d ago )

They give the game away for free through Gamepass...of course ..could you imagine the number of players who would've played spiderman 2 if it was given out for free?

Think about it. People have to pay like $10 for starfield for access for 1 month. That's nothing. That's a fast food menu item.

Terry_B152d ago

ah okay..that makes sense...

outsider1624152d ago

"They give the game away for free through Gamepass...of course ..could you imagine the number of players who would've played spiderman 2 if it was given out for free?"

Speaking of which If Sony did that, it'll be in trouble. In the leak, i saw horizon fw sales went flatline after it went on ps+. Sony isn't Microsoft that has endless money to throw around. They've got to be careful.

thesoftware730152d ago (Edited 152d ago )

And this is bad for the consumer how?

If $20 can get you a meal and a 100+ hour game, I call that a hell of a deal.

But you spin it and worry so much about these multi-million dollar Corps. pockets. I'll give you more to worry about, did you see the newest leaked Insomniac info? that Sony is pressuring their devs to cut back on budgets, and possibly fire more people? Insomniac is looking for a way to fire up to 75 people working on SM3 and Wolverine. apparently, SM 2 needed to sell over 7 million copies just to break even. Additionally, they plan to shut down another studio.

Go ahead and spin away.

Crows90151d ago

@thesoftware

Lets pretend fast food hasnt gone to shit and collectively gone up in price at the same time.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 151d ago
attilayavuzer151d ago

Not too surprising. The hate circlejerk for this game exists mostly in a couple online communities. Most people just play games and get on with their lives.

Show all comments (92)
70°

Why Starfield's Colony War Setting Would Be a Great Opportunity For a Prequel

While its campaign may have failed to impress some players, Starfield's Colony War setting offers fertile ground for Bethesda to explore in a prequel.

Read Full Story >>
gamerant.com
15h ago
300°

Insider claims Starfield could come to PS5 in 2025 after more Xbox games 'this holiday season'

Well regarded insider, NateTheHate, has said that more Xbox games could be coming to PS5 'this holiday season' followed by Starfield in 2025.

Read Full Story >>
videogamer.com
ThinkThink5d ago

The latest rumor is flight simulator 2024 is heading to PS5 this year.

romulus234d ago

That would be a great game to go multiplat. I would definitely pick that one up on PS5.

OtterX4d ago (Edited 4d ago )

That would be an absolutely fantastic score for PSVR2 if they have any VR support plans! MS Flight Simulator (2020) is one of my favorite VR experiences over on PC. Not so much a game, but one hell of a VR experience!

M3talDiamond4d ago

Where is this guy I havent seen him on N4G much lately?

OtterX4d ago

@M3talDiamond - I've been around, just not as much. Fam visiting, and been helping an indie team release a game, so that took a lot of focus. Thanks for noticing! haha

Skate-AK4d ago

I think they were talking about fr0sty's link.

OtterX4d ago (Edited 4d ago )

@Skate-AK ah ok, I was confused as heck, didn't even know if I should respond bc I legit just came off of an N4G hiatus. XD

So he just responded to the wrong person, gotcha. I hadn't even seen or clicked on Obscure's link til now!

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 4d ago
Ethereal3d ago (Edited 3d ago )

I'd be all over this.

Knightofelemia5d ago

Even if the rumor was true and if that did happen. I still wouldn't play or own a game that is classified as open world just to run into invisible force fields.

Rebel_Scum4d ago

Then what is your solution to open worlds that obviously have to have a point where they must end?

Knightofelemia4d ago (Edited 4d ago )

@Rebel_Scum

Really? Do you even need an answer to your question? The point to open world games is not to run into invisible force fields but to explore ever nook and cranny of the game hence the term open world.

Barlos4d ago

Same here. I won't be buying any Microsoft Games game

Notellin4d ago

Wow you're such a tough and smart guy taking that stance! You're really changing the world Barlos.

helicoptergirl4d ago (Edited 4d ago )

I hope you don't mean any and all Xbox games.

If you do mean all of their games, then why not buy a game you're interested in? MS are a 3 Trillion dollar company. People with your stance are not going to make a dent, so you might as well take advantage and enjoy playing on Playstation (the best place to play) with their games AND Xbox games. Who cares about giving them money? It's killing the hardcore Xbox fan that you even have the opportunity to play Xbox games on playstation. So why not indulge. The more games they sell on Playstation then the more games they will port over in the near future. Certain obscure people will die inside along with many others. I'm laughing all the way to the "Games Bank" and I hope you do too.

4d ago
DaCajun4d ago

Every open world games have invisible walls. So i guess you never play any open world games. If you don't believe me then you've either never played any Open World game or you never explored every corner of an open world game because there is no such thing as a true open world go anywhere game.

Gotta love a troll, just be honest you're a Microsoft hater. It's ok I dislike Microsoft also but at least be honest why you commented.

Neonridr4d ago

remind me of an open world game that went on forever.. I'll wait.

Rebel_Scum2d ago

ok, so what is your solution then?

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 2d ago
isarai5d ago

If it came to ps+ ill try it, but im certainly not spending my money on it. I wanted this game to be awesome and it just seems so incomplete

Barlos4d ago

Exactly. It's fine to rent it on Xbox so why should they expect people to actually buy it on PlayStation? They don't deserve your money.

4d ago
Neonridr4d ago

kinda like No Man's Sky when it first released.. amazing how updates can change a game, huh? Zero reason why this game couldn't be more fleshed out with updates and add-ons.

mkis0073d ago (Edited 3d ago )

Bethesda doesnt have a history of supporting their games after paid dlc ends for very long...certainly not in the realm of no mans sky's free ( all of them) updates and additions.

Destiny10805d ago

send phil, some more dev kits

we need all xbox exclusives games ported before phil shuts them down

neutralgamer19924d ago (Edited 4d ago )

We were often ridiculed by Xbox enthusiasts, but it’s essential to understand that Microsoft's $100 billion investment was aimed at generating profit, not merely pleasing fans with Day 1 Game Pass releases.

Microsoft should consider releasing all its games, including flagship titles like Halo and Gears of War, on PlayStation. This strategy would maximize revenue while still releasing games day one on GP, money which could then be reinvested into the future of Xbox. While a few loyal fans might be upset, this approach makes the most business sense in the long run. Even put forza on PS5 get the sales. On Xbox gamers get these games day on GP while other platforms pay full price. Win win

nzjono4d ago

Huh? "We were often ridiculed by Xbox enthusiasts" Its the other way around, their ship is sinking, and they have known this for some time.

neutralgamer19924d ago

Once these acquisitions were announced, many Xbox fans felt that the primary aim was to take games away from PlayStation. Any suggestion that Microsoft wanted to maximize its return on their $100 billion investment was often dismissed with claims that Microsoft doesn’t need PlayStation or Nintendo to profit from these acquisitions.

Historically, Xbox operated independently within Microsoft, for better or worse. However, with such a significant financial commitment, Microsoft's goal is clearly to maximize revenue. They can still release these games on Game Pass at launch and also sell them at full price on other platforms. While some Xbox fans might react negatively if Xbox games appear on PlayStation, from a business perspective, it makes sense to leverage a platform with a much larger install base.

Phil Spencer and his team are under pressure to grow revenue and profit. It is becoming increasingly clear that achieving this growth solely within the Xbox ecosystem is challenging. Many Xbox gamers now expect Microsoft to cover the costs of games through Game Pass, rather than purchasing them outright. Considering that Xbox, now in its fourth generation, accounts for only 15-20% of overall software sales while its competitors are setting sales records, it is crucial for Microsoft to explore broader strategies to ensure profitability.

neutralgamer19922d ago

It’s the dumbest you have heard because changing of goalposts have been a thing Xbox fans have been doing for decades now. Yea a company that just bought out 2 giant gaming publishers along with many other studios will never be an underdog. Them being in 3rd place is their own fault so now you can consider them a. Underdog Allan’s want while rest of us still see right through another goal post being moved

And maybe you didn’t read but when a console has 70 million sold and another 30 million so why is it surprising to you or anyone else that each gaming site has more PlayStation accounts. Keep punching air since you don’t have any valid argument to stand on

Notellin4d ago

You clowns were never ridiculed by Xbox enthusiasts. They are the underdogs and a massive minority and that statement is made up nonsense.

You guys need to quit playing victim in the fake war of console wars. The loudest fans are PlayStation fans and it's not even close.

neutralgamer19924d ago

The celebration of Activision's acquisition was met with enthusiasm, and any concerns about recouping that investment were dismissed with immature remarks. It's clear that PlayStation has a significantly larger fan base, a fact underscored by the fact that all their home consoles, except for the PS3, have sold over 100 million units. A larger fan base naturally leads to a more substantial online presence.

It’s absurd to label a company that has just spent $100 billion as an underdog.

I don't have a preference for any particular platform (I use a PC), but calling out issues shouldn't label someone a hater or a fanboy. If we can't discuss matters affecting all gamers maturely, we're missing the point.

Publishers are motivated by profit and see us all simply as gamers, regardless of platform. Their goal is to divide us and exploit us, but we often do a better job of dividing ourselves.

In 2024, we should be united to stand against unfair policies from publishers. Instead, we're arguing and failing to acknowledge when our preferred platforms make mistakes. We need to come together for the betterment of the entire gaming community.

Notellin3d ago

@neutralgamer1992

"It’s absurd to label a company that has just spent $100 billion as an underdog."

They're in last place they're the underdog. No way to debate that unless you move the goal posts.

In the case of your example the team that spends the most money always wins and is favored. The dumbest shit I've ever read on this website now by a mile.

Notellin3d ago

Man this is still the dumbest shit I've ever read that has received up votes on this website. But the community here is absolute garbage so I'm not surprised.

Show all comments (66)
120°

Starfield's new Xbox performance modes are thoughtful and comprehensive

Digital Foundry : Bethesda's Starfield was generally a well-regarded RPG, but the game's 30fps target on consoles was the subject of some controversy. The game's massive scope arguably justified that 30fps refresh rate, with only high-end PCs capable of hitting 60fps and higher, but now Bethesda has changed course and opened the floodgates on Xbox Series X consoles following significant optimisation work. Players can now independently select performance and visuals modes at arbitrary frame-rates. How exactly do these new combinations fare, and is 60fps really a possibility after it was explicitly ruled out before?

Read Full Story >>
eurogamer.net
darthv725d ago

900p in performance mode for SX.... I'd assume a 5pro would at least hit 1080p if not more.

jwillj2k45d ago

It’s a point, click and load game. Stop with all the massive scale bullshit. Only thing massive is the number of junk items they decided to throw in the game.

Armaggedon5d ago

Its not BS. This games running more systems than virtually any AAA game. Why else do you think it has loading screens? Besides, the clutter has been apart of their DNA for decades at this point. There are other games out there for people that dont care about that kind of stuff.

Mr_cheese5d ago

Probably because it's been created on a very outdated engine that isn't designed to fully utilise current gen abilities.

You've only got to look at what rockstar games achieve with their releases.

Armaggedon4d ago (Edited 4d ago )

@Mr_Cheese People keep saying the engine is outdated, even though other engines have built upon past iterations. I think it would be more accurate to say that the engine does not do what you expect to see from a “current gen” game. Red Dead 2 was cool, but its not packing as many systems and permutations as Starfield. People make flimsy comparisons too often: “Look what this open world game can do with its visuals and presentation. Whats Bethesdas excuse?”

Yes, look at what this open world game can do that has no skills or attributes, no building potential and minimal crafting potential, coupled with all of the other variables packed in a Bethesda game. Not mentioning all of the other systems in place, you already have an unbelievable amount of potential variables to calculate. No wonder starfield has loading screens.lol
Heck, I would say that even Fallout 4 in 2015 had more systemic depth than Red Dead 2. It amazes me how much people underestimate Bethesda. Keep sleeping on them.

Mr_cheese4d ago (Edited 4d ago )

RDR2 is a living, breathing world with dynamic weather, full interiors, changing landscape with unscripted encounters, multiple onscreen npcs, wildlife, all with their own functions, animations, skins.

I wouldn't disregard one for the other.

Bethesda is notorious for operating on an outdated engine.

We could even use cyberpunk as an example of a fully open world game with multiple levels of variants.

Edit

Played the majority of Bethesda titles, not sleeping on them, just noticing a pattern

Armaggedon4d ago (Edited 4d ago )

@Mr Cheese

Rant inbound. Dont blame you for not reading.

I honestly think their notoriety with the engine is here-say sprinkled with a bit of confirmation bias over the years. For example from a typical naysayer: “Bethesda games have lousy performance and their gameplay is outdated, therefore their engine must be outdated.”

There was one journalist/Youtuber that mentioned something interesting. He was breaking down the negativity behind Bethesda, and mentioned that if there is an issue, its not Bethesda’s engine….its Bethesda.

If there is an issue, it is that Bethesda are very ambitious and seek to prioritize testing themselves to see how much stuff they can put into a game and still have it function without crashing. This ambition can cause them to forget their core audience, and pay attention specifically to what they want. I think thats one of the key reasons why BG3 is so beloved by people, its because the game was in a form of early access for years, and is literally built on the feedback of those that were able to access it. People who play Bethesda games are looking mostly for “meaningful” exploration, cool loot, and environmental storytelling, but Bethesda has honestly been shifting gears recently. It seems they want to focus on terraforming the open world rpg further via building and crafting.

I think Starfield is an example of a solid game, alienating the expectations of the core audience. Bethesda wanted to make this game for years, and they sought out to achieve their ambitions, rather than service their audience. The “problem “ with Starfield is that it is a clash of design philosophy, ery similar to Fallout 76. You just dont try to fit a Bethesda game with all of its variables into a multi world, multi landing zone game space. But they tried it anyway, hence the loading screens and othe supposed issues. I admire their ambition, and I love Starfield, ut I can understand where people that dont like the game are coming from. I just wish naysayers understood the true nature of this game.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 4d ago