How Many Units Has Warhammer 40,000: Darktide Sold So Far?
As a passionate gamer and industry analyst, I‘ve done some digging into the sales figures for Warhammer 40k‘s latest co-op shooter Darktide. As a new IP lacking brand recognition, how is Darktide performing commercially since its November 30th launch? Let‘s break it down.
Darktide‘s Baseline Performance and Projections
Exact official sales data for Darktide is not yet available publicly. However, there are methods to reasonably estimate its performance using statistics from Steam and by analyzing similar game launches.
Darktide hit a concurrent player peak of 73,298 in its first weeks (Source). For comparison, Vermintide 2 saw less at launch while popular titles like Left 4 Dead hit well over 100k.
| Game | Steam Peak Players (Launch) |
|---|---|
| Darktide | 73,298 |
| Vermintide 2 | 27,067 |
| Left 4 Dead | 123,505 |
As an established franchise, Left 4 Dead likely outsold Darktide initially. But Darktide seems to be performing better out of the gates than predecessor Vermintide 2 did in 2018.
My own projections estimate Darktide has sold between 300-500k units across all platforms so far. With continued post-launch support, I expect it could hit 1 million units within 6-12 months.
Who‘s Buying Darktide and Why?
As a Warhammer 40k game, Darktide attracts two key groups:
- Existing Fans: Those already into WH40k were always going to buy in, even before seeing reviews. This includes fans of Vermintide and other WH40k titles.
- Co-Op Fans: The 4-player co-op element draws the PvE crowd who enjoy teamwork-focused shooters like Left 4 Dead. Less WH40k familiarity needed.
In terms of buyer motivation:
- WH40k diehards crave AAA-quality 40k gaming experiences and more content for their beloved franchise
- Co-op focused players want the unique Blood, Sweat, and Tears gameplay promising high challenge
- Looter fans aim to grind endgame missions for the best exotic gear
- Curious onlookers buy-in to try the next big co-op IP after Back 4 Blood and Hood Outlaws & Legends fell short of expectations
So in summary, Darktide sells to an enthusiastic niche prepared to support WH40k along with thrill-seekers wanting chaotic co-op battles.
How Do Darktide‘s Sales Break Down By Platform?
DARKTIDE IS CURRENTLY ONLY ON XBOX SERIES X|S AND WINDOWS PC.
As an Xbox console exclusive, I‘d estimate 70-80% of sales are on PC while Xbox Series X|S make up the remainder.
The breakdown is likely:
- PC Standard Edition: 50-60%
- PC Imperial Edition: 15-20%
- Xbox Series X|S: 25-30%
PC is where most WH40K players and Steam early adopters exist. Xbox may see more growth long-term as Game Pass subscription includes Darktide.
What Are The Review Scores and Player Retention?
Early reviews of Darktide are mixed leaning positive, averaging around 75 on Metacritic (Source).
Steam reviews are 71% positive from 20K+ owners.
This suggests the game is resonating with some players while others are more critical. Complex combat systems and grindy progression have received criticism.
In terms of retention, Steam Charts indicates Darktide has maintained over 10K concurrent players two weeks post-launch. Vermintide 2 dropped to 6K players at the same point.
So while the jury is out on whether Darktide will be a breakout hit, the core WH40K and co-op fanbase seems engaged so far.
What Does The Future Hold?
I‘m bullish on Darktide‘s future sales prospects for a few reasons:
- Fatshark has a strong track record supporting their games long-term with content updates
- The WH40K setting offers limitless opportunities for new enemies, missions, and stories via DLC
- Xbox Game Pass and future sales will continue driving new buyers
- Co-op communities are great for organic growth and retention via word-of-mouth
If technical issues are addressed and Fatshark delivers on ambitious post-launch plans, Darktide could easily achieve several million lifetime units sold.
Will Darktide reach Vermintide 2‘s current 7+ million owners? Can it break out beyond the WH40K fanbase? The potential is certainly there if the game continues evolving.
Either way, Warhammer 40,000: Darktide is off to a promising start, validating continued investment in the franchise from publishers. We‘ll be keeping a close eye on sales and performance metrics over the coming months!
