OUTRIDERS developer indicates that Xbox Game pass could be guilty of missing profit

Outriders could record 3.5 million playing in the first month after Release. A share of it probably had the fact that the game was included in the Game Pass from the first day. Nevertheless, People Can Fly CEO Sebastian Wojciechowski now explains that there was no payment for the first quarter of Publisher Square Enix. What is behind it, you will learn here.

No profits

That's why it's: People Can Fly-CEO Sebastian Wojciechowski has explained according to VGC to have not received any payouts of Publisher Square Enix for the first quarter of Outriders. The Loot Shooter had a very good start. For the launch, 3.5 million players were recorded. The title was directly contained for publishing in the Game Pass.

However, if all costs of the publisher are covered, the developer is explained. These include expenses for production, sales, advertising and quality assurance. People Can Fly has recently pointed out in an investor note. In addition, it was confirmed that Square Enix had the IP.

Outriders appeared on the first of April. Thus, since then, more than one quarter has passed without payment. Wojciechowski therefore assumes that in the opinion of Square Enix probably no break-even (as a cover of all costs) was achieved. The People Can Fly CEO seems to be surprised because he explains:

We have no sales figures for outriders - we estimate sales to 2 to 3 million copies and assumed that this result would make the project profitable in the first quarter of the sale.

In the following he explains that the absence of the payment probably meant that the publisher sees the matter different.

More about Outriders:

• Outriders-dlc indicated and so it could go with the game
• Outriderers - World Levels explains: Ranges and rewards work

How can this be explained?

Wojciechowski calls a possible explanation that the expenses of the publisher may be higher than accepted by People Can Fly. At the same time, he speculates that Square Enix sales agreements could also be a reason and thus plays on the Game Pass deal as one of the possible causes. VGC cites Square Enix Managing Director Yosuke Matsuda, on the other hand, with the words:

We believe that our decision to make Outriders in the Xbox Game Pass from Microsoft to launch the title of the title has affected our favor.

According to Square Enix, it is therefore positive of the digital sales and the high number of players of Outriders.

As Wojciechowski also detects, it is probably more in-depth analysis of the situation. However, he found it important to explain that such a while is needed and the influence [of the developer] is limited to the position of the publisher.

What do you think of this case?