“Persona 3 Reload” Claims Top Spots in Gaming Sales, But Comparison to Predecessors Show Lackluster Performance
The highly anticipated “Persona 3 Reload” has made waves in the gaming industry with significant sales figures following its release. According to recent reports, the game secured the first and third place spots in sales, with the PlayStation 5 version selling an impressive 76,368 units and the PlayStation 4 version not far behind with 40,024 units sold. The combined sales of both versions resulted in an approximate total of 116,000 sets.
While these numbers appear impressive at first glance, a closer look reveals that “Persona 3 Reload” falls short in comparison to its predecessors. “Persona 4 Golden Edition” and “Persona 5 Royal Edition” both boasted sales of approximately 150,000 and 200,000 units, respectively, during their first week of release. This discrepancy in sales is particularly notable considering that “Persona 3 Reload” is a newly released main-level “Persona” game and the first to launch simultaneously across global platforms.
The announcement of the game’s total shipments exceeding one million units within the first week may seem like a remarkable achievement, but industry experts argue that these numbers are skewed by the game’s status as a new main-level release and its simultaneous global launch.
Furthermore, it’s suggested that the introduction of the PC version of “Persona 3 Reload” alongside the console releases may have influenced the overall sales performance. However, the game’s inability to rival the sales figures of its predecessors has raised questions about the effectiveness of its release strategy, particularly when compared to the remastered version of “Persona 3 Portable Edition,” which launched just a year prior.
“Granblue Fantasy Relink,” the derivative of the well-known web game, also made a strong showing in the gaming market, securing the second and fifth positions in sales. With sales figures of 48,754 units for the PlayStation 5 version and 22,083 units for the PlayStation 4 version, it achieved a total of approximately 70,000 dual version sales. Despite its success, the numbers indicate a significant decline compared to its spin-off predecessor, “Granblue Fantasy Versus,” which reached approximately 86,000 units in its first week.
Additionally, “Granblue Fantasy Relink” faced challenges posed by the declining influence of the original web game, impacting the draw of bonus serial numbers and affecting pre-order and channel sales volumes.
While “Granblue Fantasy Relink” struggled in physical sales, it fared remarkably well on the STEAM platform, with a record-breaking number of players simultaneously online. The success of the game on the platform highlights its ability to attract players based on its own merit, exceeding initial expectations and achieving widespread popularity in a shorter period.
In contrast, “Juju Kaisei Souka Ranbu,” an adaptation of a popular manga, experienced a notable performance with sales of 25,242 units for the Nintendo Switch version and 4,009 units for the PlayStation 5 version, maintaining a total sales volume of approximately 30,000 units. Although the game showed promise, it faced challenges when compared to the overwhelming success of “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, Fire God Blood Wind Tan.” The limited availability of a physical film for the PlayStation 4 version and the lack of physical releases may have hindered the game’s potential reach.
Amidst these releases, the Nintendo Switch family continues to demonstrate consistent performance, despite a slight decline in sales. Meanwhile, the PlayStation 5 models experienced a significant drop in sales, with experts attributing the decline to the saturation of previous value bundles.
With the gaming market showing signs of competition and shifting trends, these sales figures offer valuable insights into consumer preferences and highlight the challenges faced by new game releases in an ever-evolving industry. As the industry continues to evolve and adapt, it’s evident that successful game releases require a multifaceted approach that transcends traditional sales strategies and embraces alternative platforms to engage players effectively.