Once Human is a big hit at Steam Next Fest, but wishlists are a drop in the bucket

NetEase's Once Human: A PC-First Release Highlights the Mobile vs. PC Discoverability Gap

Once Human, NetEase's upcoming third-person shooter, boasts over 15 million global pre-registrations, a success highlighted by its strong performance at Steam Next Fest. However, a closer look reveals a significant difference between its overall pre-registration numbers and Steam wishlist numbers; while boasting 15 million pre-registrations, only 300,000 are Steam wishlists.

NetEase, known for its mobile game dominance, is taking a PC-first approach with Once Human, prioritizing a desktop release. While the game's popularity on Steam is undeniable – it attracted the most demo players during Steam Next Fest – the disparity between its mobile and PC performance illustrates the challenges of achieving comparable discoverability on PC.

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NetEase's Strategy

NetEase's PC focus isn't inherently flawed, but the data underscores the vast difference in audience reach and discoverability between mobile and PC gaming. Even a major developer like NetEase faces a steeper climb to achieve similar levels of popularity and visibility on PC compared to the mobile market.

While awaiting Once Human's release, consider exploring our curated lists of the best and most anticipated mobile games of 2024. These lists offer handpicked selections of top-tier mobile gaming experiences.