Atomfall Dev Discusses Game Pass Launch And Risk Of Cannibalizing Sales

The developer behind the recent day-one Game Pass release Atomfall has now discussed bringing the game to the subscription service and why it made sense for the company despite a risk of cannibalizing full-game sales.

Speaking to GI.biz, Rebellion CEO Jason Kingsley said Microsoft was a "fantastic partner to work with," noting that the company "really leaned in" with regards to helping the studio.

Part of that help included a guaranteed payment as part of a deal between Rebellion and Microsoft to have Atomfall launch into Game Pass. "It does mitigate risk, because without going into details, they guarantee you a certain level of income, regardless of what it will sell for," Kingsley said.

Kingsley went on to say he understands that some people might think launching a game like Atomfall in Game Pass could carry the risk of "cannibalizing one section of the audience" who might have bought the game outright. Kingsley said he agrees that this may be true "a little bit" because he believes many Game Pass subscribers are "hardcore" gamers who might be inclined to buy a new IP like Atomfall.

However, "What you gain from that cost is disproportionate," he said.

Kingsley went on to say that Game Pass can help a game like Atomfall because people might try it and then tell their friends about it. "Some of them are on Game Pass, and will [play] it. But some of them aren't on Game Pass, and will also want to be part of that conversation. So, they'll go and buy it," he said.

At least, that's what Kingsley thinks. He admitted, "We don't have the data in for that." But in any event, Kingsley said one of the challenges Rebellion faces is "discovery," so taking a deal with Microsoft for Atomfall to come to Game Pass "has allowed for a lot of discovery for our game."

It appears to have worked out for Rebellion, as Atomfall enjoyed the "most successful launch" in Rebellion's 32-year history.

Atomfall wasn't Rebellion's first day-one Game Pass release, as Sniper Elite: Resistance, which was also released in 2025, came to Game Pass at launch.