Sucker Punch’s highly anticipated action-adventure title, Ghost of Yotei, the spiritual successor to Ghost of Tsushima, has made a monumental splash since its release last week. Reports indicate the game has already sold over 1.6 million copies, making it Sony’s most successful first-party PlayStation 5 launch since the blockbuster Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 in 2023. Remarkably, Ghost of Yotei is said to have recouped its substantial $60 million development budget within just one day of its debut.
According to a recent newsletter from the market research firm Alinea Analytics, Ghost of Yotei stands out as one of Sony’s most triumphant first-party launches for the PlayStation 5 era. The data reveals that over 1.6 million copies have been sold directly to consumers, with total units shipped to retailers exceeding two million.
With a price tag of $70, the game has quickly amassed nearly $100 million in revenue. Alinea Analytics further highlighted that the title recovered its estimated $60 million development cost within a single day of its release. Despite this impressive start, its sales pace trails slightly behind its beloved predecessor, Ghost of Tsushima, which managed to sell 2.4 million copies in its first three days.
Ghost of Yotei’s Swift Sales Outpace Assassin’s Creed Shadows
In an additional victory, Ghost of Yotei is reportedly selling 1.5 times faster than Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed Shadows, which launched in March. Digital sales represent a significant portion of this success, making up 77 percent of the game’s total sales to date. Interestingly, the data suggests a strong loyalty among fans, with 93 percent of Ghost of Yotei players having previously enjoyed Ghost of Tsushima.
These robust sales figures underscore a considerable triumph for developer Sucker Punch and signal a rapid return on investment for Sony. Having been available for only a week, and coupled with its strong critical reception, Ghost of Yotei is poised for continued sales growth in the foreseeable future.
Despite its impressive start, Ghost of Yotei still has a journey ahead to match the monumental commercial success of its predecessor. Ghost of Tsushima has sold over 13 million copies as of September 2024. It’s important to remember that Tsushima’s sales significantly benefited from the global COVID-19 lockdowns, which saw a surge in gaming activity. Furthermore, Tsushima initially launched on the PlayStation 4, a console with a much larger installed user base than the PS5, before receiving enhanced PS5 and PC versions through a Director’s Cut edition.
Ghost of Yotei debuted on October 2 for the PlayStation 5. Our review of the game awarded it an 8/10, commending its stunning visuals, engaging combat, and expansive open-world exploration, though noting its narrative was somewhat safe and predictable.