According to recent data from The NPD, survival-horror gameThe Callisto Protocolis being out-sold byMinecraft, the original version of which launched in 2011.The Callisto Protocollaunched in December to mixed reviews, which may have played a role in the game struggling to make much of an impact with its sales.
Reports indicate thatThe Callisto Protocolis failing to meet its sales expectations, with data from The NPD Group suggesting it didn’t even crack the top 10 best-selling games for December 2022. The 10 best-selling games for December 2022 were reportedly, in order,Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2,Pokemon Scarlet and Violet,God of War Ragnarok,Madden NFL 23,FIFA 23,Sonic Frontiers,Elden Ring,Need for Speed: Unbound,Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, andCrisis Core: Final Fantasy 7 Reunion.
RELATED:Callisto Protocol Adding New Achievement With New Game+ Mode
Unfortunately fordeveloper Striking Distance Studiosand publisher Krafton,The Callisto Protocollanded at the 17th position. Other games ahead of it includedNBA 2K23,Just Dance 2023 Edition,Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope,Minecraft,Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, andNintendo Switch Sports. The only games thatThe Callisto Protocolbeat wereAnimal Crossing: New Horizons, which originally released in 2020,Splatoon 3, andGotham Knights.
WhileMinecraftwas the oldest game to beatThe Callisto Protocolin sales, other titles that are years old outpaced it as well.Super Smash Bros. Ultimateis about five years old, yet it reportedly sold more in December 2022 thanThe Callisto Protocoldid.Mario Kart 8 Deluxereleased for the Switch in 2017, but the original version was a Wii U game that launched in 2014. New content is still released on a regular basis forMinecraftandMario Kart 8 Deluxe, though no new DLC is planned forSuper Smash Bros. Ultimateat the time of this writing.
The Callisto Protocol’s mixed reviewsand the fact it was a new IP likely played a big role in the game failing to live up to sales expectations. It will be interesting to see if post-launch support for the sci-fi horror game can turn things around.The Callisto Protocol’s latest update added the requested New Game+ feature, and there are many future updates planned for the game as well. It’s possible these updates and other new content will help drum up more interest inThe Callisto Protocol, though that remains to be seen.
It’s also worth pointing out thatThe Callisto Protocolcame out during the busy holiday shopping season. It being a new IP with no real name recognition and a horror title at that likely worked against it.
The Callisto Protocolis available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.
