Once Human, the eagerly anticipated third-person shooter from NetEase, has made a significant impact by surpassing 15 million registrations worldwide. The game's success was particularly highlighted during Steam's Next Fest, where it drew in the highest number of demo players. However, a closer look reveals that out of those 15 million registrations, only 300,000 are wishlists on Steam. This disparity underscores the challenges of discoverability on PC compared to mobile platforms.
NetEase, traditionally known for its mobile game dominance, is strategically focusing on a PC-first release for Once Human, with a more imminent launch date for the desktop version. This move, while bold, showcases the contrasting dynamics between PC and mobile gaming audiences. Despite the game's popularity on Steam, the numbers suggest that achieving the same level of recognition and engagement on PC as on mobile remains a formidable challenge, even for established developers like NetEase.
Subscribe to Pocket Gamer on NetEasy does it. We don't fault NetEase for targeting a PC audience with Once Human, and we believe it's a commendable strategy. However, this situation highlights the significant differences in audience reach and the inherent difficulties in achieving similar levels of discoverability on PC as on mobile.
As you await the release of Once Human, why not explore our curated list of the best mobile games of 2024 so far? It's a great way to find engaging titles to enjoy in the meantime. Additionally, our list of the most anticipated mobile games of the year offers a glimpse into upcoming releases that could be the next big thing in mobile gaming. Both lists feature carefully selected games that we believe represent the pinnacle of mobile gaming.
