"More Are Playing CrossCode On Games Pass Than On the PS4 & Switch Combined": CrossCode Developer

Joining us this week is Felix Klein, Co-Founder of Radical Fish Games, and Programmer, Artist, & Game Designer of CrossCode – a retro-inspired 2D action-RPG that just recently made its way to consoles.

We discuss what it was like creating one of the most popular action-RPGs in recent memory, the challenges of porting a Javascript/HTML5-based title to the Nintendo Switch, and how Game Pass has benefited CrossCode’s console release.

[Daniel2183]

Game pass awesome . Signed up till 2022

[Scissorman82]

Without a doubt the best deal on the gaming market.

[potatoseal]

It's because Nintendo and Sony fans have actual 'exclusives' to play and the game is free on gamepass.

[MadLad]

I feel that Humble Monthly matches it but, if you're a PC gamer, it's freaking insane in how much value you get from the two services.

[TheProblem]

Crosscode what?

You know ps players have had some huge game of the generation contenders taking their time up recently

[RosweeSon]

Recently? All gen 😅😜✌🏻

[Teflon02]

Don't get me wrong, I like Crosscode, but 2 things. Better chance being a pc and ps4 or switch owner than pc and xbox. I've owned on steam for a good while. Why'd I replay on xbox. Next, having more players can mean good and bad, 1 can mean that Nintendo and PlayStation have players actually playing a bigger variety. Also Ghost and Last of Us came out lol. Chances are it's not suppose to be doing well on PS atm. The real question is how well does it perform after gamepass replaces it

[mania568]

thats because its free to play for anyone already on gamepass, same reason mobile games get to the millions of players regardless of quality, the question is, between the 3 who gave you the more revenue, that is more important than numbers.

[Vits]

That is only part of it. Because accordingly to the podcast those numbers are only for the Xbox One Game Pass. While PC players have access to the same service and game (by less money, mind you) they are not playing it as much:

"You get a sum ahead of time which is guaranteed... not a lot of people playing the game on Xbox Game Pass on PC... but definitely a lot of people playing on Xbox Game Pass on Xbox One... Right at this moment, there are more people playing on Xbox Game Pass than Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 combined."

And another developer, No More Robots, also mentioned how Game Pass helped them triple their sales number on the platform: https://www.gamesindustry.b...

So while is true that sales revenue is a important metric. Game Pass end up being a good deal for developers because it combines a flat up front sum with the possibility of increasing their overall sales.

[Teflon02]

Did you know CrossCode has been on steam since September 2018. It was near impossible to actually perform well on the pass as it's not expensive so most ppl who want to play already own. Also believe it was given out with Humble bundle not too long ago. Maybe wrong but I think

[Vits]

@Telfon02

By that same token the game was released to much success on the Switch. Being on the list of the top sellers and even now it is still front center in their Indie recommendations. So the fact that Game Pass is managing to pull the XOne numbers over the combine amount of players on both the Switch and PS4 is still impressive. As they all released at the same time.

[Nitrowolf2]

Gamepass is great for consumers, but unless its a really niche game I can't see it being very beneficial to major devs.

Yeah theres more exposures and people may be likely to buy, but think about how many sales they're actually taking away if it wasn't on gamepass. I never buy games that go on gamepass, A lot im interested and would have normally just bought.

Kind of silly for a dev to gloat about these kind of numbers. I mean, thats to be expected when people get to play the games for basically nothing versus paid users. Why don't they say actual sales and say something like "Gamepass has helped us sell more copies over x platforms"? Because in reality that prob isn't the case.

[Petebloodyonion]

But you are also forgetting that all the others games ( including AAA) on the service are also free. So as a user I could decide to spend my time on RDR2 instead of crosscode.
Like previous poster mentioned some devs mentioned that they tripled their sales Tks to Gamepass and have renewed a deal to let the game stayed on Gamepass.

[Hakuoro]

Ok, but where did the company make more money on PS4 and Switch or gamepass?

That's the question that really matters, player counts don't pay the bills.

[aconnellan]

And sales don’t make a different to the players, nor are they reflective of an actual playerbase.

Or would you rather load up an empty player lobby and say to yourself “at least they made a bunch of money!”

[mkis007]

Sales lets more games be made.

[lonewolf10]

@mkis007

True but some games sales have soared after appearing om GP, so not only do they get cash for putting it on GP, they sometimes get increased sales from it too, more games can be made.

[neutralgamer1992]

I don't personally think game Palace is a bad service I actually think it's a really great service for what Microsoft is trying to do. My only issue is when Xbox fanboys say or demand that Sony and Nintendo put games on services like PlayStation now or similar services

When Nintendo can sell 15 million copies of Zelda they don't need to put it on any service. What could happen maybe is that Sony will start putting their first party games on PSN now 6 months after release. You have to understand the strategy between ms and Sony is very different one is going for subscriptions the other going with a traditional model

Ghost just became the fastest selling new IP in PlayStation and the last of us part 2 has generated so much revenue

We will see which approach gamers like more as we move forward

[Skate-AK]

Game Palace sounds awesome.

[neutralgamer1992]

Skate

Auto correction haha

[Petebloodyonion]

I totally agree with you!
I feel that a service like Gamepass is a great tool to have your game known or sample so they might picked later but there’s no point in having your most successful game on Gamepass unless you are making money from micro transactions.

[neutralgamer1992]

Yes or if the service is run by the makers of the covsole itself. I think in long run game pass can't succeed on $10 per month maybe more like $19.99 per month with 6 months commitment

But let's see I think both can succeed Sony in traditional model and Ms in subscriptions model. End of the day sales will decide if Ms biggest games don't sell 8-10 million plus than maybe they will have to rethink their strategy. I think we maybe see down the road where all Ms games end up on gamepass 30-60 days after launch which in my opinion is perfect because most games make their biggest profit in the initial 30-60 days

[thecodingart]

PS and Nintendo players have sort of been playing onslaughts of exclusives. It doesn’t take too much detective work to put what’s happening together...

[jznrpg]

I preordered the physical edition for PS4 . I have plenty of games to play until it releases but I do believe my daughter played it on her laptop a long time ago if I remember correctly

[arkard]

And how much revenue did they make by having so many more people play it vs sales on the other consoles?

[Petebloodyonion]

1) Ms pays them for the renting period
2) some ppl might buy the game at a discount
3) more ppl playing en enjoying your game = more ppl enjoying and buying the sequels.

[arkard]

Not true in the game pass world they are going to get the same money per game right? Same fee for renting? So more people playing your game for no more money

[Petebloodyonion]

Yes, it's a flat amount that they get paid that is negotiated in a deal just like Ps+ Xbox Live, Epic Games, etc.
Yes they will probably less money of 1 million ppl play the game vs selling to 1 million but they will also make more money if before Gamepass they would have sold 10000 copies of the games without and ends up with 15000 copies total sold + Xbox Game pass money and 10000000 ppl who played the game.

Just read this.
https://www.trueachievement...

[Hawk198666]

Never heard of it, had a look... nice enjoy your Snes game.

[RamRod88]

"Playstation 4 and Switch actually have other exclusives worth playing."

"But how much money did it make?"

"That's because it's free to play for Gamepass members."

"Phil sneaked into my room last night and whispered,"Gamepass Bitch"

3 excuses and 1 lie. GO!

[franwex]

People comparing a multi platform indie game to multi million dollar exclusives.

I cringed hard at the comments too. I see why gamers get a bad rap. We deserve it honestly. It’s down right pathetic.

[franwex]

I tried it-it’s actually a fun game.
If it wasn’t for Game Pass I wouldn’t have tried it-I’m think that a lot of people wouldn’t either.

[lonewolf10]

Indeed and sometimes that leads to increased sales as well.

[Automatic79]

Glad Xbox GamePass helping gamers discover more games.

[neutralgamer1992]

Just bought physical copy from strictly limited games

[Dark_Overlord]

There is a regular retail release coming :)

I order a lot from SLG, but wasn't interested in the extras they offered for this.

[neutralgamer1992]

Good more games need physical releases

[pitythefool]

Nintendo & Sony have dropped 5 exclusives between them since March,

Don’t tell me this would be that popular on game pass if a new Gears just came out.

[mkis007]

Do they make more money the more people play it on gamepass? Seems like numbers would only matter if you are talking about sales.

[lonewolf10]

Some titles have enjoyed great sales after appearing on GP, GP doesn't always stop sales, with 2 revenue streams for the same game devs will be able to make more games.

[mkis007]

One revenue stream tanks though because people beat the game for their $10 and don't buy it. There are a few exceptions...very few AAA exceptions.

[lonewolf10]

Like this:

https://www.gamesindustry.b...

[Mr_Luke]

I'd say this would be a lot more "WOW!!" if those players bought the game. If it's in a service and basically "for free", that's the main reason for those numbers. Without counting the fact that on PS4 and Switch you have a lot of exclusive games to play and, like in my case, i'm playing those for now.
If it was a "free game" on PS+, for example, the story would be a lot different from this one. Even with said exclusive games, people would download and try it even just for curiosity, play for a bit etc (and i'm sure they would count these people in those who play the game, even if it's just a small part of it).

[Rebel_Scum]

More the merrier. Its a fantastic game and I wish the devs further success

[Futureshark]

Well I don't know about the Switch, but I would say PS4 gamers are probably mostly playing TLOU2 or Ghost of Tsushima at the moment.

[Sunny_D]

Or Dreams, FF7 remake, or Nioh 2. Maybe even Persona 5 Royal.

[MadLad]

Is there anything that isn't just on a PS4 that strikes your interest? Or do you just try to deflate anything positive said on MS's behalf?

[Bennibop]

Or ironman vr

[Sunny_D]

@ted

Nah, most recently finished Star Wars Fallen order and loved it. But I don’t have time to play all sorts of games nowadays, so I focus my time on select games that are worth it and 1st party games tend to be a good portion of my time. I actually mention the Medium looking like a good game and Avowed’s concept looks good just no gameplay.

[Sgt_Slaughter]

This just in: More people played it on a Netflix-type game service than people who had to buy it. The "No Sh*t" bell is ringing immediately.

Show us which platform gave you more revenue then get back to us.

[Fantangoooo]

Gamepass has kept me so busy that I have gone the last year without buying many new games. Only got 3 the last year. Such a great service

[Christopher]

That doesn't necessarily equate to more revenue for them, though. People can buy and not play on other systems. But, how much are they making for people playing a subscription-included game more versus people purchasing it elsewhere?

[darkside4125]

Wow who woulda thought people play a free game

[MadLad]

Services like this; which are not free because the devs get paid to be on the service, via the consumer, sometimes only get found because of deals like this.
Just like many games featured in Humble Bundle.

If a company is going out of their way to say good things on the service, I'm sure this was a positive action for them.

[Kyizen]

Wth is Crosscode?

[Benficaman]

What? Crosswhat?