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Blades of Fire Expected to Lose €10 Million

505 Games warns of significant losses due to low sales despite positive reviews.

July 22, 2025 at 11:00 PM

'Increasingly Selective Consumers' to Blame for Underperformance of Blades of Fire

Blades of Fire struggles due to market conditions and consumer preferences.

Selective Consumers Impact Performance of Blades of Fire

The action game Blades of Fire for PS5 has struggled in the market since its release on May 22, 2025. Publisher 505 Games, part of the Italian company Digital Bros, announced a significant expected loss of €10 million. Despite receiving positive reviews, the game faced harsh market realities including an oversupply of new releases and a more discerning gaming audience. The exclusivity deal with Epic Games Store has also been cited as a potential factor affecting its sales, as many PC gamers prefer platforms like Steam. This scenario underlines persistent challenges in attracting consumers to new titles.

Key Takeaways

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Blades of Fire is projected to incur a €10 million loss.

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The game received a 7/10 review score and averages 71 on Metacritic.

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Oversaturation in the gaming market challenges new IPs.

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Consumer selectivity increases the difficulty of launching new titles.

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Epic Games Store exclusivity may have hindered PC sales.

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Plans for discounted digital sales may help boost future performance.

"The group’s new video game Blades of Fire...underperformed the group’s expectations."

This statement from 505 Games summarizes the company's disappointment with the game's sales.

"It’s particularly difficult to launch new IP in the current climate."

This quote reflects the challenges facing new video game titles in a saturated market.

"With so much content to choose from, it’s simply not enough for a game to be good anymore."

This highlights a critical shift in gamer expectations and competition within the industry.

The situation surrounding Blades of Fire highlights notable trends in the gaming industry, especially the impact of consumer selectivity in a crowded market. With countless options available, merely having a good game is not enough to ensure success. Instead, brand loyalty and market presence play a crucial role. The trend of launching titles outside of established franchises adds to the risk of underperformance. This could signal a shift in the strategies publishers need to adopt to thrive in such a competitive environment.