Elden Ring: Nightreign Sells 2 Million Copies Fast (Thanks To The Price?)

Elden Ring: Nightreign has taken the gaming world by storm, reaching a major sales milestone in record time. Released on May 30, 2025, the title has already sold 2 million units, despite receiving mixed-to-positive reviews. While not a critical hit, the game’s $39.99 price tag appears to have played a huge role in its quick success.

Affordable Pricing Driving Strong Sales?

The impressive sales of Nightreign raise a growing question in the gaming industry: Are premium $70–$80 game prices backfiring? Many gamers are becoming more selective with their purchases, especially when their backlogs are filled with affordable or discounted games that still offer hundreds of hours of gameplay.

Comparisons with recent releases highlight this shift. For example, Expedition 33, which was available on Xbox Game Pass, still managed to sell 3 million copies at a $50 price point. On the other hand, Doom: The Dark Ages, priced at $70, hasn't even crossed the 1 million unit mark according to early reports, which was released on May 15, 2025.

For many gamers, pricing matters. A title like Doom may have been a tempting buy at $50, but at $70, the appeal starts to drop. Players, such as myself, seem to be more inclined to wait for sales, especially when I'm not a huge fan or the game isn’t part of a globally beloved franchise.

What Nightreign’s Success Tells Us

While Nightreign benefited from the Elden Ring brand recognition, its performance also highlights the impact of smart pricing. Even with only average reviews, the game hit its sales targets faster than many predicted.

This suggests that $40 is an “impulse buy” for many players, low enough to encourage early purchases, especially if the game is part of a well-known franchise or series that already has a strong fan base, such as Elden Ring. Honestly, we spend $40 easily on food nowadays, so why not spend it on a game?

As creating games becomes more expensive, publishers are responding by raising price tags. But the data increasingly shows that higher prices don’t always translate into better revenue, especially when consumers are more cautious with spending and prioritize value for money.

Final Thoughts

Elden Ring: Nightreign’s quick 2 million milestone proves one thing: pricing strategy matters more than ever. While big franchises can get away with premium tags, the average game may benefit more from a competitive price that encourages immediate buys.

Today’s gamers are savvy. They know prices will drop. Unless the title is a massive blockbuster like GTA 6, which could sell well even at $80, many players simply wait for discounts. 

As more players speak with their wallets, it’s time for the industry to listen.