Despite Once Human's impressive 15 million pre-registrations worldwide, only 300,000 are Steam wishlists, highlighting the vast disparity between mobile and PC popularity.
NetEase's upcoming third-person shooter, Once Human, has garnered over 15 million pre-registrations globally, an impressive feat for any new game. However, a closer examination reveals a significant disparity between the game's popularity on mobile and PC platforms.
Once Human's Massive Success on Mobile Overshadows PC Presence
While Once Human boasts 15 million pre-registrations, only a fraction of those are on Steam, the leading PC gaming platform. According to the developer, the game has amassed just 300,000 wishlists on Steam. This stark contrast highlights the dominance of mobile gaming and the challenges faced by PC developers in capturing a comparable audience.
NetEase's shift towards a PC-first release strategy for Once Human is a bold move, given the company's strong presence in the mobile market. The developer has stated that the desktop version will receive an earlier release date compared to its mobile counterpart, indicating a desire to make a significant impact on the PC gaming landscape.
While Once Human's popularity on Steam is still notable, the sheer volume of pre-registrations on mobile platforms underscores the vast audience that exists for mobile games. This disparity is further evidenced by the fact that Once Human drew the highest number of demo players during Steam Next Fest, demonstrating the game's appeal to PC gamers.
NetEase's decision to focus on a PC audience for Once Human is not without its merits. The game's solid gameplay and visually impressive graphics make it well-suited for a PC release. However, the challenge lies in replicating the same level of popularity and discoverability on PC as NetEase enjoys on mobile.
This dichotomy between mobile and PC gaming represents a significant challenge for developers seeking to bridge the gap between the two platforms. Mobile games have a distinct advantage in terms of accessibility and convenience, while PC games often offer more immersive and visually stunning experiences.
Despite these challenges, NetEase's ambitious plans for Once Human demonstrate the company's belief in the potential for PC gaming in the global market. The game's upcoming release will be closely watched by both industry analysts and gamers alike, as it serves as a test case for the viability of a PC-first strategy in the face of mobile dominance.
In the meantime, mobile gamers eagerly awaiting the release of Once Human can explore our curated list of the best mobile games of 2024 to discover other exceptional titles to enjoy on the go. Our constantly growing list of the most anticipated mobile games of the year provides an insight into upcoming releases that are poised to shape the future of mobile gaming.
