Atomfall, the latest open-world action title from Rebellion, has surpassed two million players since launch—and much of that success is thanks to its debut on Xbox Game Pass. Studio CEO Jason Kingsley spoke with GamesIndustry.biz about how Microsoft’s subscription platform helped elevate this new IP into the spotlight.

“It’s been a huge success,” Kingsley stated plainly. “Microsoft has been a fantastic partner. They’ve brought their expertise and scale to a small project like ours, and it’s worked out really well for both parties.” Released in March on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X, Atomfall hit Game Pass on day one and instantly captured the interest of millions of players intrigued by its alternate-history storyline set in a post-nuclear Britain.

Launching on Game Pass Was the Right Move

According to Rebellion’s CEO, the service helped address one of the biggest challenges for indie studios: getting noticed. “With Game Pass, you can get people to try it, and if they like it, they share it on social media. That sparks interest even among those who aren’t subscribed, and some end up buying the game,” Kingsley explained. While final sales figures aren’t available yet, the game’s success has already gone beyond internal projections—largely thanks to word-of-mouth.

While some critics hastily compared the game to Fallout, Kingsley insists that Atomfall has a distinct identity, rooted in classic British sci-fi like The Day of the Triffids and The Death of Grass. “We hoped that once players got their hands on it, they’d see we were aiming for something unique—and that’s exactly what they’ve said,” he noted.

Kingsley also praised Game Pass for minimizing financial risks. Microsoft guarantees a baseline payment for titles on the service—something crucial for smaller studios that can’t compete with the blockbuster budgets of franchises like Assassin’s Creed. “We literally don’t have $200 million to spend,” he said frankly, expressing pride in having created a profitable title without compromising creative freedom.

Not only has Atomfall outperformed its average sales goals, but it has also opened the door for a potential sequel. While nothing is officially confirmed, Kingsley hinted that the studio is seriously considering turning it into a franchise. For now, Rebellion remains committed to its long-term plan: two-thirds of its future games will be sequels, and the remaining third will introduce new IPs. Game Pass, it seems, has become the ideal launchpad for both.

Source: 3djuegos