I wonder if SOMA is a commercial success or not. And what is the future of Frictional Games?

[Tom]

According to data from Steamspy, to this day SOMA has only sold around 45,000 copies on Steam. A couple of thousands could be added to the number considering that the game is also available on PS4 and other stores. But I assume that it wouldn't be much higher.

It's kind of hard to tell if it's successful or not, the number is neither an obvious success nor a downright failure. But I'm not very optimistic about it. I assume that even if it manages to recoup its cost, the sale number needs to be much higher to move the studio forward to more ambitious games in the future. Unless they kickstart their next game.

UPDATE: Frictional Games had announced that SOMA had sold around 92,000 copies in the first ten days. Also, though the company isn't in any way put into a financial difficulty right now, they have so far only recoup 1/3 of the total costs making SOMA.

[Gabi]

I really think they simply priced this game higher then they should have. 20usd would likely have seen far more sales, but who knows, maybe they will get those sales anyway when it goes on sale. Or it could be a slow burn game that just keeps on selling small amounts continuously for an extended period of time.

[rab357]

It did get good reviews though, so maybe it won't be a surprise blockbuster but it should keep Frictional afloat. One thing to consider about Frictional's darling, Amnesia, is that it only became a smash success after the YouTubers started posting their videos. I don't know if Soma will enjoy such a reaction, as I'd argue the monster encounters aren't as intense and, most importantly, we've seen it all before, from Amnesia and games that followed after.

I hope it performs well enough for Frictional to keep doing their thing. While I don't see them ever going hardcore AAA production even if they had the money (could be wrong), we need games like Soma that have solid production standards but more "indie" ideas and story exploration. Kind of a middle ground game between the big boys and those Steam greenlight games that only a few thousand ever play.

[Gabi]

^ I agree. Enough money that they can do weird things and experiment a little, but without the issues involved with AAA games, or games with essentially no budget.

Hard to say if it will be a success as we don't even know how much it cost to make. Add to that it is also available at places like gog along with consoles and we can only measure the sales numbers in a maybe semi-accurate way.

[Gotta Ramble]

Not to forget they killed their reputation somewhat with Pigs.

[Gabi]

Gotta Ramble původně napsal:

Not to forget they killed their reputation somewhat with Pigs.

They didn't make it.

[Clord]

I think that the community once again will play a major role in terms of sales.

What made Amnesia sell really well over time was all those custom stories that kept coming out. If SOMA enjoys active community that does similar custom stories too, then I can see this game selling really really well over the years.

I have already started to taclke the editor but it's hard in 4K resolution.

[iLLmEcHaNiCo]

Given what a literary masterpiece this game is, I'd say it will never truly reach magnificent success in terms of sales. Such a shame. There's nothing quite like it.

It's sad, but the majority of gamers are looking for the Ubi style "very clearly show me how the plot unfolds" and "I don't want to think, just tell me where to go" kinda games.

[Borscht!]

Gabi původně napsal:

Gotta Ramble původně napsal:

Not to forget they killed their reputation somewhat with Pigs.

They didn't make it.

Exactly, a lot of people think they made it.
As for the sales, i really liked SOMA a lot more that Amnesia. And i hope the game will sell better in a long period. Devs surely deserved it.

[Clord]

Borscht! původně napsal:

Gabi původně napsal:

They didn't make it.

Exactly, a lot of people think they made it.

Yeah but people who know that they didn't still realize that they were "overseers" of the project.

Many expected them to take action in a case it wouldn't be a good Amnesia HORROR game.

Yet even though they kept in touch, checking how the project progressed, they approved Amnesia - A Machine for Pigs to be sold how it was.

[iLLmEcHaNiCo]

I think The Chinese Room did a fantastic job with Machine for Pigs. They are excellent story tellers and represented Frictional well.

[Gotta Ramble]

Gabi původně napsal:

Gotta Ramble původně napsal:

Not to forget they killed their reputation somewhat with Pigs.

They didn't make it.

ok
Irrelevant, many people wont bother to check who made what and will skip over this because they just make that association without knowing better. Especially with a small indie developer like this.

[Gabi]

Gotta Ramble původně napsal:

Gabi původně napsal:

They didn't make it.

ok
Irrelevant, most people wont bother to check who made what and will skip over this because they just make that association without knowing better.

Most wouldn't realize the people who made Soma made Amnesia either. This is a small company. The Chinese Room seems to be doing well with there game after Amnesia: Machine for Pigs as well.

[Gotta Ramble]

Gabi původně napsal:

Gotta Ramble původně napsal:

ok
Irrelevant, most people wont bother to check who made what and will skip over this because they just make that association without knowing better.

Most wouldn't realize the people who made Soma made Amnesia either. This is a small company. The Chinese Room seems to be doing well with there game after Amnesia: Machine for Pigs as well.

Whatever, i wasnt talking negatively about the game but i guess you just want to argue.

[Gabi]

Gotta Ramble původně napsal:

Gabi původně napsal:

Most wouldn't realize the people who made Soma made Amnesia either. This is a small company. The Chinese Room seems to be doing well with there game after Amnesia: Machine for Pigs as well.

Whatever, i wasnt talking negatively about the game but i guess you just want to argue.

Someone disagrees with you on a forum designed around discussion, and you got to "you must want to argue". Sighs. I just don't feel there reputation was hurt or helped by Amnesia 2.

[Gotta Ramble]

Gabi původně napsal:

Gotta Ramble původně napsal:

Whatever, i wasnt talking negatively about the game but i guess you just want to argue.

Someone disagrees with you on a forum designed around discussion, and you got to "you must want to argue". Sighs. I just don't feel there reputation was hurt or helped by Amnesia 2.

Well i disagree.