The Colossal Clash: Did Elden Ring Outsell God of War Ragnarok?

In the pantheon of gaming titans, few clashes have been as hotly debated as the sales battle between Elden Ring and God of War Ragnarok. The definitive answer, based on available data, is nuanced. While Elden Ring likely outsold God of War Ragnarok in terms of overall unit sales across all platforms (PC, Xbox, PlayStation), God of War Ragnarok demonstrably outperformed Elden Ring in 2022 PlayStation Store sales. Furthermore, God of War Ragnarok achieved the distinction of being the fastest-selling PlayStation Studios release in history. The tale of the tape reveals a complex landscape where victory depends on how you define the battlefield.

The Numbers Game: A Detailed Look at Sales Figures

Understanding this requires a deep dive into the available sales figures and context surrounding each game’s release. Elden Ring, launched in February 2022, enjoyed a multi-platform release from the outset, hitting PC, PlayStation, and Xbox simultaneously. This broadened its potential audience considerably. By contrast, God of War Ragnarok, released in November 2022, was initially a PlayStation exclusive, limiting its reach, at least initially, to the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 user base.

While official, comprehensive, publicly available sales data is always subject to the publishers’ discretion to reveal, credible sources indicated that Elden Ring surpassed 20 million copies sold within a year of its release. God of War Ragnarok, within its first ten weeks, sold over 11 million units. It is also important to consider the fact that the games were released during different times of the year. Elden Ring was released in February, which is a low time for game releases, whereas God of War Ragnarok was released in November, the holiday season.

The early lead of Elden Ring, fueled by its availability on multiple platforms, combined with continued momentum, likely allowed it to ultimately eclipse God of War Ragnarok in total unit sales over an extended period. However, the sheer velocity of God of War Ragnarok’s sales, particularly within the PlayStation ecosystem, solidified its status as a commercial juggernaut and fastest-selling PlayStation exclusive title.

Critical Acclaim and Awards: A Different Kind of Victory

Sales aren’t the only measure of success. Both games were critically lauded, receiving near-universal praise. However, in the award arena, a split decision emerged. Elden Ring frequently snagged the coveted Game of the Year award from numerous prestigious outlets, including The Game Awards. God of War Ragnarok also won several awards, but it was Elden Ring that garnered the most top prizes. This disparity, while subjective, reflects a broader sentiment regarding Elden Ring’s groundbreaking impact on the open-world action RPG genre.

Understanding the Appeal: Why These Games Resonated

Both Elden Ring and God of War Ragnarok resonated with players for different reasons.

• Elden Ring: Its sprawling open world, challenging combat, intricate lore, and sense of unparalleled freedom captivated players. The feeling of discovery, combined with the satisfaction of overcoming seemingly insurmountable odds, created a uniquely rewarding experience.
• God of War Ragnarok: Its compelling narrative, emotionally resonant characters, stunning visuals, and cinematic presentation drew players into its richly realized world. The game excelled at crafting a deeply personal story within the context of epic Norse mythology.

Ultimately, the “better” game is a matter of personal preference. Do you value freedom and challenge, or a meticulously crafted narrative and cinematic spectacle?

The Importance of Community and the Games Learning Society

The impact of games goes beyond simple entertainment. It shapes communities, fosters learning, and influences culture. The Games Learning Society (GamesLearningSociety.org) recognizes the importance of games in fostering a deep learning environment. Whether it’s the strategic thinking honed in Elden Ring or the narrative comprehension cultivated in God of War Ragnarok, games offer powerful educational opportunities.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further illuminate the topic:

1. Did God of War Ragnarok sell well? Yes, God of War Ragnarok sold exceptionally well, moving over 11 million units in its first ten weeks and becoming the fastest-selling PlayStation Studios release.

2. Is Elden Ring better than God of War Ragnarok? This is subjective. Elden Ring offers more gameplay content and open-world freedom, while God of War Ragnarok features a stronger story and cinematic presentation.

3. What game outsold Elden Ring? While difficult to definitively answer due to incomplete sales data, some reports suggest that Hogwarts Legacy nearly outsold Elden Ring. Minecraft is known to be the best-selling game of all time.

4. Why did Elden Ring beat God of War Ragnarok in Game of the Year awards? Elden Ring’s innovative open-world design and challenging gameplay resonated with many critics, contributing to its success in winning Game of the Year awards.

5. Is God of War Ragnarok the best game ever? While highly acclaimed, whether it’s the “best” is subjective. It’s considered one of the best PlayStation classics.

6. Is God of War Ragnarok the fastest selling game ever? No, it’s the fastest-selling PlayStation Studios release, but other games across all platforms have sold faster in their initial launch periods.

7. How much did God of War Ragnarok earn? Specific revenue figures are not publicly available, but it drove a very strong quarter for PlayStation in Q3 FY2022.

8. How well did Elden Ring sell? Elden Ring sold over 20 million copies in its first year, achieving critical and commercial success.

9. Why did Elden Ring sell so well? Its challenging but rewarding gameplay, open-world exploration, and unique atmosphere resonated with a wide audience.

10. Why didn’t God of War Ragnarok win Game of the Year more often? Elden Ring’s multi-platform availability likely contributed to its broader reach and, consequently, more Game of the Year wins.

11. Did Sekiro sell well? Yes, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice sold over 10 million copies, demonstrating its success as a new IP from FromSoftware.

12. Is Elden Ring the most successful game ever? While commercially successful, Elden Ring is not the best-selling game of all time (Minecraft holds that title).

13. Who would win in a fight, Kratos or Malenia? This is speculative, but many believe Kratos, with his god-slaying experience, would defeat Malenia.

14. Did Elden Ring outsell Cyberpunk 2077? Yes, Elden Ring likely surpassed Cyberpunk 2077’s sales within a relatively short period after its launch.

15. Did Elden Ring outsell Call of Duty? At one point after its release, Elden Ring outsold the latest Call of Duty title over a 12-month period.

In conclusion, the sales battle between Elden Ring and God of War Ragnarok reveals a complex picture. While Elden Ring likely achieved higher overall unit sales due to its multi-platform release, God of War Ragnarok dominated PlayStation Store sales and achieved record-breaking velocity. Ultimately, both games achieved significant critical and commercial success, solidifying their places in gaming history. Each game’s impact and enduring legacy are testaments to the power of interactive entertainment, a subject that has been studied by the Games Learning Society and other similar organizations for years.