Almost every second person is now a gamer – whether on a PC, console or mobile phone. The Statista portal has now analysed what the most successful games are. Here are the ten best from the past decade.
Minecraft: 238 Million Sales
The first version of “Minecraft” was released back in 2009. Since then, the game has been one of the most popular computer games. Its success is primarily due to its simple character – in “Minecraft” everything is reduced to a minimum.
In a pixelated block landscape, players can build and destroy anything they feel like. In addition to the quiet creative mode, there are also various adventure modes in which different factors contribute to limiting the possibilities – and thus increasing the level of difficulty. So everyone gets what they want from a game.
The Sims: 175 Million Sales
“The Sims” is one of the best-known computer games ever. The player takes control of a family of virtual people – the Sims. They are then responsible for their appearance, household and leisure time. Houses can be built, parties celebrated and careers established – in the newer games, the Sims can even age so that gamers can accompany them through their entire lives.
An important factor in the success of “The Sims” is the simplicity of the game. No special knowledge or skills are required, and the first sense of achievement comes early on. This means that even people who are otherwise not at all interested in gaming can play “The Sims”. Official sales figures are difficult to find out, but according to the manufacturer they were already around 175 million in 2015. With Sims 5, which is now rumoured to be in development, the 200 million mark is likely to be broken in the foreseeable future.
Grand Theft Auto V: 150 Million Sales
In the fifth instalment of the popular series, the player can play three different main characters, all of whom have completely different backgrounds. Their adventures are not only fast-paced and a little exaggerated, but also peppered with numerous harsh comments on American society.
So “GTA V” is not just a game, but a merciless critique of the madness of modern society – which is probably why the game is so popular. And all this without a next-gen version, which is still a long time coming. Action-packed chases, outlandish characters and an atmospheric soundtrack combine to create an unmistakable, success-crowned combination. You can find more games to try your luck at online casinos such as https://www.staycasino8.com/en-AU.
PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds: 70 Million Sales
“PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds”, or PUBG for short, has been one of the most popular battle royale shooters in recent years. Up to a hundred players start together on the same map and fight for weapons – but above all, of course, for survival. Various restrictions make it interesting, such as limiting certain weapons to a single map.
PUBG scores primarily with its tactical approach and excellent gameplay. Between various other shooters, PUBG finds room for the perfect compromise: not as overly colourful as Fortnite, not as fast as Apex Legends and not as realistic as Call of Duty.
Super Mario Bros – 58 Million Sales
The Italian plumber with the red cap has always been one of the most important influences in the history of video games. This success continues to this day: Although “Super Mario Bros.” was released back in the eighties, millions of people are still playing it now.
Of course, we all know the story – Princess Peach is kidnapped and Mario wants to rescue her. But the game is still fun. The catchy music, the intuitive controls and the charmingly nostalgic design of the levels, which makes the gamer feel like a child again, make the biggest contribution to this.
Red Dead Redemption 2: 38 Million Sales
For many gamers, the first instalment of “Red Dead Redemption” was a revelation. The developers are still focussing on the open-world strategy, but this time not in the modern world, but in the Wild West. After all, what could be better suited to an action game than gunslingers?
“Red Dead Redemption 2” proved to be even more successful than the first instalment, for which it is a kind of prequel. This time, the player is not an opponent, but a member of the Van der Linde gang. In the role of Arthur Morgan, we experience the hustle and bustle of the gang first-hand and urgently try to avoid the law enforcers. Further Red Dead Redemption games are already being planned.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt: Over 30 Million Sales
The entire “The Witcher” series has sold over fifty million copies. The third instalment accounts for the largest share. Although there are no exact sales figures, CD recently confirmed that ‘Wild Hunt’ has sold more than 30 million copies since its release in 2015.
The games about the witcher Geralt of Rivia are based on the Polish book series of the same name. However, the TV series starring Henry Cavill was the decisive factor in the series’ huge success – since its release, the games have also seen ever-increasing sales figures. Fans are currently still waiting for a fourth instalment of “The Witcher”, but there is no release date yet.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare: 30 Million Sales
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare” was released in 2007. This gave the somewhat dusty shooter genre a top-class optimisation. The multiplayer mode with class editor, ranking system and killstreak mechanism managed to motivate even gamers who had previously shown little interest in “Call of Duty” to buy the game.
The reboot was finally released in 2019 – but it is anything but a new edition. Instead, “Modern Warfare” not only wanted to seem tougher, but also more authentic and realistic. Players can expect moral decisions, a battle royale mode and contemporary game environments based on current world events.
Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim: 30 Million Sales
For all gamers who love fantasy in an epic medieval setting, “Skyrim” is the perfect game. In the fifth instalment of the popular “Elder Scrolls” series, players take on the role of a dragon hunter in the kingdom of Skyrim, which is on the brink of civil war.
Among other things, the extremely active mod community and the excellent design of the game world contribute to the popularity of the fifth instalment. In addition, many gamers are almost magically attracted by the possibilities on offer: Although “Skyrim” follows a fixed storyline, players can move independently through the open world and also take on other missions.
Diablo III: 30 Million Sales
The story of “Diablo III” begins twenty years after “Diablo II” and takes place in the city of New Tristram, where the player character is tasked with investigating a fallen star that can bring the dead back to life. The character development and game mechanics are significantly more complex than in its predecessor, and the game itself is colourful, loud and entertaining.
This makes the third instalment a worthy member of the popular Diablo series. The action RPG was first released in 2012 and was purchased by 3.5 million gamers on the very first day. To this day, new patches are released to improve the gaming experience with new content and customisations – and they do just that.
