Lords of the Fallen has officially hit 5.5 million lifetime players — but surprisingly, the game is only now nearing the break-even point, according to CI Games CEO Marek Tyminski. While widely considered one of the more successful AA titles in recent years, Lords of the Fallen’s financial journey shows how challenging profitability can be in today’s gaming industry.
Released in late 2023, Lords of the Fallen was quickly deemed a commercial and critical hit. The game sold nearly 1 million copies within its first 10 days and currently holds a solid Metacritic score of 75, placing it in the “Generally Favorable” category. With positive reception, rapid early sales, and consistent post-launch support, many assumed the title had already secured financial success.
However, a recent tweet from CI Games’ official account celebrating the 5.5 million player milestone also drew attention to the game’s ongoing revenue concerns. CEO Marek Tyminski responded directly to the announcement, saying:
“And the breakeven is very close, too!”
That statement confirms what many suspected: Lords of the Fallen still hasn’t fully recouped its development and marketing costs — nearly a year after release.
A major contributing factor appears to be how those 5.5 million players accessed the game. As Tyminski noted, that number includes players from Xbox Game Pass, where subscribers can play at no additional cost. While Game Pass exposure can significantly boost player count and visibility, it often results in lower per-player revenue compared to full-price sales — which likely explains why profitability remains elusive.
The case of Lords of the Fallen highlights a broader trend in the gaming industry, especially for mid-budget AA titles. Development costs continue to rise, but monetization models haven’t always kept pace — particularly in the age of heavy discounts, subscription services, and expensive post-launch support.
Still, the future may not be bleak. With continued updates, DLC plans, and a loyal fanbase, CI Games may yet turn LoTF into a long-term success. But the road to profitability, even for a game with millions of players and solid reviews, is clearly more complex than it seems.