Starfield has firmly established itself as a generational RPG, despite receiving mixed reviews that have left gamers divided. Notably, the game became Twitch's most-watched title during its pre-release period, surpassing heavyweights like GTA V and League of Legends.
Since its launch, Starfield has solidified its position as one of the standout titles of the year, even though it may not have garnered the same viewership as other 2023 releases such as Hogwarts Legacy and Diablo 4. Bethesda, however, isn't celebrating just viewership; they are applauding their record-breaking player count.
According to a tweet from the Starfield Twitter account, the game achieved a remarkable milestone by reaching over 6 million players as of September 8, making it the most-played Bethesda title at launch in history.
To put this achievement into context, Fallout 4 sold an estimated 5.2 million copies during its first week, while Skyrim, its predecessor, sold 3.4 million copies within two days of release. Starfield managed to surpass both of these figures comfortably within a single day, excluding early access numbers.
It's important to note that Starfield's availability on Game Pass on its launch day likely contributed significantly to this milestone. Players on both PC and Xbox had the opportunity to play the game essentially for free at launch.
Even considering these factors, attracting 6 million players in a single day is undeniably an extraordinary feat. This achievement is even more impressive when you consider Starfield's exclusivity to Xbox platforms, resulting in the loss of the PlayStation player base, which was a significant audience for Bethesda's games in the previous console generation.
Prominent figures in the gaming industry, including developers from PlayStation, have praised Bethesda's work on Starfield and this remarkable accomplishment. Hideo Kojima, a renowned game developer, has also shown support for the game's success, demonstrating the recognition of excellence within the industry.
It remains to be seen whether Starfield can eventually match the astonishing total sales of Skyrim, a fantasy RPG that has sold over 60 million units since its initial release in 2011. If Bethesda decides to re-release Starfield in various iterations over the next decade, even making it playable on unconventional platforms like refrigerators, it might have a chance to come close to Skyrim's remarkable sales figures.
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