Lords of the Fallen Nears Break-Even Despite 5.5 Million Players

CI Games’ Lords of the Fallen, one of the most ambitious AA titles in recent memory, has officially crossed 5.5 million players. However, despite reaching this impressive milestone, the game has yet to become profitable — a surprising revelation in today’s gaming economy.

The update comes directly from CI Games CEO Marek Tyminski, who recently acknowledged on social media that the studio is only now “very close” to breaking even. His statement underscores a growing trend in the gaming industry: high player counts don’t always equate to financial success.

High Player Count Doesn’t Guarantee High Revenue

While Lords of the Fallen has reached millions of players, a large portion of those numbers stem from its availability on Xbox Game Pass and similar platforms. These subscription models significantly reduce the number of full-price purchases. This nuance helps explain why the game has struggled to recoup its costs, despite appearing to be a commercial success on paper.

Lords of the Fallen Development Costs Estimated at $77 Million

A report from 2023 estimated that CI Games invested roughly 281 million PLN — approximately $77 million USD — into the development, marketing, and physical distribution of Lords of the Fallen. At a standard $60 price point, the game would need to sell well over 1.3 million units just to recover production costs, not accounting for post-launch support and operational expenses.

Given that many players accessed the game through Game Pass, the actual number of full-price purchases is likely well below this figure. Additionally, CI Games continued to support the game through regular updates, including the notable v2.0 update, which likely required additional funding and staff.

CI Games Remains Committed to the Franchise

Despite the slow road to profitability, CI Games is doubling down on Lords of the Fallen as a long-term franchise. Development is already underway on a sequel, which CI Games plans to release in 2026. The team is hopeful that future installments can build on the foundation laid by the first game — both critically and financially.

Tyminski’s recent comments reflect the studio’s belief that Lords of the Fallen is on track to break even — and possibly turn a profit — before the sequel arrives in 2026.

And the breakeven is very close, too! https://t.co/s1hNZKcGLP

— Marek Tyminski (@tyminski_marek) July 11, 2025

Lords of the Fallen is a prime example of the evolving landscape of game development and sales. In an age where player count can be inflated by subscription platforms, developers face new challenges in ensuring profitability. CI Games’ transparency in sharing these financial hurdles offers valuable insights into what it takes to bring a modern AA title to life — and why success is no longer measured solely by sales figures.

As the studio prepares for the next chapter in the series, all eyes will be on whether Lords of the Fallen 2 can tip the scales and cement the franchise’s place as a profitable and enduring IP in the action-RPG genre.

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