Ubisoft has revealed that their recently released downloadable god game, From Dust, has sold 500,000- Xbox Live and PSN sales combined. The PC sales figures have not been accounted for in this figure.
“There is less risk releasing a new game digitally,” digital publishing manager Thomas Paincon told MCV.
At retail, if you don’t have a 90 Metacritic score and millions of fans, it’s very risky to launch a new game.
“Look at From Dust, we sold half a million units on XBLA and PSN. Why? Because the prices were lower, but also because it was a new experience and people using digital platforms are more willing to test a new IP.”
“It’s more strategic to launch downloadable games in the first half of the year or around September before the boxed blockbusters arrive,” he continued.
“It’s harder to compete for gamers’ money when there are lots of new triple-A games out.
“Microsoft’s Summer of Arcade Xbox Live promotion is a good new market that people are getting used to. And now digital is a great business for retailers as online games are part of the revenue stream for them.”
In our review of From Dust, we gave it an 8/10. Read the full review here.