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Elden Ring is now in the top ten of best-selling premium games, based on dollar sales, in the history of the U.S. games market.
That is quite bonkers. The news comes from NPD Group (via VGC), who recently forecast the game’s fortunes. The group said that the game would be highest selling title in the US market by the end of the year:
“Elden Ring will finish as 2022’s best-selling premium game in the US market, marking only the 3rd time since 2009 that a Call of Duty franchise release does not lead the market.”
Elden Ring has, apparently, been first in dollar sales for four of the five months of its release. And it has shipped 13.4 million units globally, according to publisher Bandai Namco.
Even though the game was fantastic, this still comes as a surprise. It is, by a healthy distance, FromSoftware’s most successful release in terms of sales and mainstream recognition. And it’s lovely to see.
In VideoGamer’s review of the game, I said:
“What an odd relationship between developer and audience, one of cruelty and pleasure, steeped in the slow trickle of progress. There are no other dynamics quite like it in games; they acquaint us with an array of miseries and charge us money for the privilege. It will be keenly understood, however, by readers of George R. R. Martin, who are well versed in cruelty, violence, and the agony of the long wait.”
