It’s a tough time for new video game IPs. According to a new report, Wildgate, the new online PvP game from developer Dreamhaven, has struggled with sales since it’s release.
Bloomberg’s Cecilia D’Anastasio reports that Wildgate has sold just 130,000 units in its first month plus. The data, which comes from a letter Dreamhaven co-founder Michael Morhaime sent to staff.
The Blizzard co-founder said that despite positive reviews from critics, the game performed below commercial expectations. It wasn’t just Wildgate that struggled, either. Dreamhaven’s other game, Sunderfolk, has sold just 62,000 copies since it released in April. Because of the struggles, he said, the company is looking for new financing.
“Our monthly expenses are outpacing revenue,” Morhaime said in the letter, adding that Dreamhaven’s focus is to now “urgently” reduce costs.
He added that he is “committed” to making sure the studio survives its current financial turmoil.
Wildgate is currently available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and PC. Through August 28, the game is on sale on Steam for under $20. In our preview of the game earlier this year, we said that Wildgate showed potential for being the multiplayer game of the year. The main concern, however, was getting players to buy in and keep them engaged with the game. Based on the current state of things, it appears that concern remains.
What do you think the future holds for Wildgate and developer Dreamhaven? Let us know down below, and join this discussion and more in the official Insider Gaming forums.
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Mike has been covering the gaming industry since 2012, and has reported on some of the largest events in the industry while also working as an investigative reporter. Outside of…
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Sunderfolk is fun once you give it a chance but I feel like the most likely audience is on pc over internet and the game’s total reliance on phone as the controller and screen sharing to play is an annoyance at best and a show stopper at worst. They need a proper pc game client and maybe things would improve, especially only needing 1 player to buy in.
Honestly, as good as Wildgate could be, without a dedicated group it’s just a frustration sim. Constantly fighting some dingbat determined to flight straight into a ball of rock, people with dozens of hours not realising ‘low ice’ means grab some ice, half the opposing crews gone in the 3rd minute after all charging at each other instantly. I gave up pretty early out of fear of an aneurysm!
Without some new options for less… player-y game-modes, I doubt the game will last the year unfortunately. Especially with a similar game coming from focus soon.
And as for sunderfolk… my phone does nothing but drain me all day, don’t make me drag it into my gaming time too; that’s like bringing the mother-in-law to a strip club!
Wildgates matchmaking is terrible. Pairing new players against experienced players is a good way to get your players to quit early.