Lords of the Fallen has reached a notable milestone of 5.5 million players, but its developer, CI Games, has indicated that it is only now nearing the break-even point. Despite being celebrated as a successful AA title following its release in 2023 and selling nearly one million copies within the first ten days, the game’s profitability has been elusive for the studio. Upon its release, Lords of the Fallen received a “Generally Favorable” critical reception, boasting a Metacritic score of 75 at the time.
However, the game’s financial performance has not lived up to such accolades, especially considering it is not classified as a major AAA title. CI Games’ CEO, Marek Tyminski, noted that the milestone of 5.5 million players includes contributions from Game Pass, suggesting that not all users paid full price for the game, which could account for its profitability challenges. The estimated development costs for Lords of the Fallen are reported to be around $77 million USD.
This figure encompasses production, marketing, and physical release expenses. If this estimate is accurate, the game’s sales likely haven’t surpassed the two million mark, which would typically indicate revenue generation at the base price of $60. Additionally, ongoing development and updates after launch suggest that CI Games reinvested earnings back into the game, which might further complicate its financial standing.
Despite these concerns, CI Games appears optimistic about the future of the franchise, currently developing a sequel set for release in 2026. Whether the sequel will achieve profitability remains uncertain, as players eagerly anticipate the next chapter in this epic dark fantasy action-RPG. Players will take on the role of Dark Crusaders, navigating a challenging world filled with colossal battles and a choice between light and darkness for their character’s legacy.