Square Enix calls Outriders its "next big franchise" as it reaches 3.5m unique players Eurogamer.net If you click on a link and make a purchase we may receive a small commission. Read our editorial policy. Square Enix calls Outriders its "next big franchise" as it reaches 3.5m unique players Don't stop 'til you get Enoch. News by Matt Wales Reporter Updated on 19 May 2021 56 comments Developer People Can Fly's co-op-focussed looter-shooter Outriders received a bit of a mixed critical reception at launch, but publisher Square Enix seems pretty happy with the public response, saying the game is "poised to be the company's next big franchise" after 3.5m unique players flocked to the experience in its first month. Things didn't exactly start off smoothly for Outriders when it launched on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC at the start of April, of course, with server woes leaving many players unable to access the game for almost three days. Despite those early wobbles, Square now says Outriders has seen over 3.5 million unique players since launch, amassing an "average play times of over 30 hours" and "extremely high engagement for co-operative play". At least some of its success can probably be attributed to its day-one launch on Xbox Game Pass, but regardless, Square says Outriders is now on track to become the company's "next major franchise", suggesting more instalments could eventually be on the way - not bad for a game many had written off after some early, rather underwhelming reveals. Watch on YouTube Let's Play Outriders PS5 Demo. For its part, People Can Fly says it's "very grateful for the community's support and feedback", and offers assurances it will "continue to listen carefully" and that it's "committed to improving and enhancing the experience in the coming weeks and months." Those still curious about Outriders can take the game for a spin via its demo on the PlayStation and Xbox stores, as well as Steam and GeForce Now on PC. Additionally, Square says it'll be celebrating today's news with various "limited-time price promotions" across all platforms, starting now-ish and running until the end of May. Eurogamer, if you're wondering, quite liked Outriders once its launch woes had settled, calling it a "smart if familiar" shooter. "While it's unlikely to make fans of those of you who've sampled the shooters that came before it and left unsatisfied," wrote contributor Vikki Blake in her review, "as a die-hard Guardian and card-carrying fangirl of the genre, Outriders tickles me in all the right places. Offering gunplay that feels solid and satisfying and an array of additional powers and abilities to keep combat fresh and exciting, I can only admit that Outriders has surprised me in all the right ways. Maybe it'll surprise you, too." Become a Eurogamer subscriber and get your first month for £1 Get your first month for £1 (normally £3.99) when you buy a Standard Eurogamer subscription. Enjoy ad-free browsing, merch discounts, our monthly letter from the editor, and show your support with a supporter-exclusive comment flair! Support us View supporter archive More News Google announces cloud gaming Chromebooks less than a fortnight after Stadia shutdown GeForce Now preinstalled. 3 Atari will hold RollerCoaster Tycoon rights for another decade Ups and downs. 7 Lady Dimitrescu will be a tad smaller in Resident Evil Village's Mercenaries DLC Level the playing field. 1 Overwatch 2 suffers another DDoS attack and character roster bugs Mei Mei. 13 Latest Articles Digital Foundry Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090: a new level in graphics performance The Digital Foundry video review - and how the new GPU champion delivers for 4K 120fps gaming. Google announces cloud gaming Chromebooks less than a fortnight after Stadia shutdown GeForce Now preinstalled. 3 Feature Evercore Heroes wants to wind people up the right way "There's less rage at them, because they didn't end your fun." Genshin Impact Path of Gleaming Jade dates, login event rewards Including other anniversary rewards and how to claim them. Supporters Only Premium only Off Topic: Take a minute to appreciate Cookin' with Coolio's incredible scallops recipe. What a great book. Premium only Off Topic: Reading City of Glass in comic form "Where exactly am I going?" Premium only Off Topic: Il Buco is a transporting film about a really big hole Underlands. Off-Topic Netflix handled Sandman brilliantly It was Dreamy. 9 Buy things with globes on them And other lovely Eurogamer merch in our official store! Explore our store