Darksiders 3 has broken even and performed within expectations

THQ Nordic has announced that Darksiders 3 has broken even and will – from now on – be considered a profitable product. The game has performed within management’s range of expectations and has recouped all investments made in development and marketing during its latest quarter.

[littletad]

With all this talk and results of Nordic seemingly doing well financially, why didn't it allow Darksiders 3 more time to be polished, but also releasing it during a hectic holiday schedule? As a big fan of the series, it just scratches my head why they released it in such a state.

[UltraNova]

It probably had to do with their yearly earnings report needing a boost to appease share holders. I mean what other explanation is there?

[isarai]

Result of balancing risk vs reward, and whoever planned that planned well it seems. They knew it was a risk making this game, so they kept their trajectory modest and so their man hours and budget had to match that. Seeing as how they announced they started working on their next game as soon as Darksiders 3 hit alpha, pretty sure this was just a stepping stone.

People need to keep in mind, this isn't a AAA publisher, these aren't AAA games, they aren't aiming for AAA sales. I for one am very glad to hear this as it sounds great for the future of the devs and the series

[RememberThe357]

Exactly, people laughed when the CEO said they only expected ~100k units at launch, but it was breath of fresh air in an industry full of over the top expectations based on BS.

[UltraNova]

Yep. I did my part at least and bought the game 2 weeks after release. Its sitting in my must play pile waiting but at least I know I helped these guys.

[Inzo]

Umm.... Then their expectations werent very high if they are satisfied with breaking even. Thats not good for the future of the game.

[sleepyhead62]

Breaking even under 2 and a half month with a game that barely received any marketing and wasn't even supposed to happen at all... does that actually sound like something to be unsatisfied about?

They are just being honest, let them be.

[Inzo]

Breaking even after two months and the game being heavily discounted its not something to be satisfied over. These figures do not account for marketing which this game received more than enough of btw and even if the marketing was but a fraction of other big budget titles you are still looking at a substantial amount spent on it not to mention that sales have all but stalled with the game not even featuring in UK's or NPD's top 40 on the charts.

I am also being honest.

[smashman98]

This was a low budget game. Nordic is developing titles knowing that they won't set the world on fire and that the audience is limited. They've stated this prior to release. I'm happy that they are doing it this way as it allows a space for games to be sustainable in the long term. Something many big publishers are against.

[DaDrunkenJester]

Honestly, I feel like we need more mid tier games, but I'd prefer if they'd at least be at mid tier prices

[smashman98]

@DaDrunkenJester when you consider that it isn't loaded up with microtransactions like most games these days I'm totally cool with paying the 60. On top of that within a year these days many newer games tend to find themselves at close to 30 dollars or less in only a year so it's not so bad.

[LoveSpuds]

It is much better than most of the corporate giants who set ridiculously optimistic targets then go on to cut studios or staff or retire software franchises as a result of only selling 7 million copies instead of the predicted 8 million.

[UnHoly_One]

It's not like they have stopped selling the game and this is the "end result."

[TK-55]

Yup very true. I'd say especially so on PC because people know sales will happen and deliberatly wait on titles they're interested in but not desperate to play immediately.

[quent]

it was a middleware title remember, if it was published by the likes of EA or Activision and didnt sell at least 8 mil copies then all those who worked on it wouldv'e lost theyr'e jobs by now, let them build on what they have and steadily improve and grow the IP instead of going in all or nothing like the big AAA publishers are doing

[Christopher]

I think more companies need lower expectations. If only games that meet higher expectations get made we as gamers lose out on potential. Furthermore, they met expectations that were reasonable without laying off employees rather than falling slightly short of very lofty goals and firing people.

Maximum profit margins as the primary goal of every company only leads to major conglomerates dictating potential.

[conanlifts]

It has made all of its money back. Any future sales will mean it is making a profit. In addition they could look at getting money by selling it to MS or Sony to use with GWG or PS+, alternatively gamepass as these options would mean instant money in the bank. So breaking even after 2 and 1/2 months is a good thing.

[Felix_Argyle_Catbro]

"These figures do not account for marketing"

It literally says in the report that it has brought back the money used for the marketing as well. And the game continues to sell.

Glad to see it performing well.

[Donnie81]

Hopefully it makes for a better product for the next one

[GameBoyColor]

In the end it was just meh for them and us lol

[chris235]

really? so people will get another one they didn‘t want but are buying anyway because of weird hopes and dreams and blind franchise-loyalty? sigh.

[UnHoly_One]

Or because they enjoy the games and want to play another one.

[isarai]

I knew as soon as i heard it was being made that it would be scaled back but still shine in places due to teams skills. Haven't bought it yet (getting it later today actually) but from what i've heard this fell perfectly into what i expected it to be. And i'll still enjoy it even with it's rough edges, has nothing to do with brand loyalty, or being blind. I like the series, and this seems like a simple linear romp through a series i like. Amazing? no, but ill enjoy it.

[TheColbertinator]

Good for the franchise

[andron]

Haven't had the chance to play it yet. Hope it's ok. Really liked the 2 first ones..

[smashman98]

It's different from the first 2 but if you're a fan of the lore and the style their is definitely a lot to love here.

[neutralgamer1992]

Have they improved it with patches since release

[Felix_Argyle_Catbro]

Yes

[smashman98]

YESSSSS

DARKSIDERS 4 LETS GOOO

[Traecy]

I had fun playing DS3! I wish it had been a little bit longer.

[AK91]

Phew thank for guess that means we’ll get to play as Strife after all.

[Scatpants]

I'll buy it if they release on Switch.

[Gwiz]

It shows that people still want this franchise to do well.

[PhoenixUp]

I want the next installment to have even better quality that outdoes the first two entries