SuperData has published the digital revenue figures for games from January 2018. These figures show that Monster Hunter World was able to debut high, despite the game foregoing the usual microtransaction madness. Apparently, players appreciate this. Furthermore, it is clear that Fortnite is becoming increasingly popular.
Not much has changed in the rankings compared to December 2017 for games. However, there are still a few interesting things to observe regarding how the top games with the highest global digital revenue have developed.
Fortnite and PUBG are in a fierce battle
- According to the new figures and rankings, PUBG and Fortnite are still battling fiercely for spots on the PC. Just like in December, we see PUBG at rank 5 and Fortnite at rank 6.
- It’s more interesting on PS4 and Xbox One. Here, Fortnite has fought its way from position 8 to rank 5. PUBG is no longer in the top 10 console games, likely because the game is only available on Xbox One, while Fortnite can also be played on PS4.
Monster Hunter World strong on PS4 and Xbox One – without microtransactions
The big winner in January is Monster Hunter World. The game debuted directly at rank 2 on the console list, showcasing its popularity and the great achievement Capcom has accomplished here.
The remarkable thing is that games relying on loot boxes or in-game purchases usually dominate digital revenues. Monster Hunter World comes almost entirely without such things – only a few cosmetics are sold. Later, Capcom plans to deliver free DLCs. The revenues here nearly exclusively result from the sale of the game.
The question will be whether Monster Hunter World can continue to generate as much revenue without microtransactions in the coming months to secure a place in the top 10.
Blow for Star Wars Battlefront 2, CoD 2 holds steady
- Interestingly, Star Wars Battlefront 2 has completely fallen off the list, while it was still ranked 4th in the console charts in December. According to Electronic Arts, the game is supposed to be doing well after a rather disappointing start. Judging by the charts from January, however, interest seems to have declined somewhat.
- On the other hand, Call of Duty WW2 continues to hold the top spot on consoles at number 1. The brand still has appeal. Activision has managed to keep players motivated over a longer period – until the successor arrives.
Interestingly, Overwatch seems to be standing out a bit. It can only be found at rank 10 on PC. Blizzard’s online shooter did not appear in the console charts anymore since December.
In mobile games, however, not much is happening. Basically, the same games are visible in the charts, just swapping places. There are no surprises here.
