Exoprimal is an unusual game in many respects. Developed by the creators of renowned titles like Resident Evil, Street Fighter, and Monster Hunter, it always appeared to have a somewhat challenging appeal. However, players were in for a surprise upon its launch, discovering a hidden facet beyond the presented PvP multiplayer mode, which was believed to be the game’s core focus. Despite having a dwindling player count on Steam, Capcom has reported a substantial increase in digital revenue for the quarter after introducing Exoprimal to Microsoft’s Xbox and PC Game Pass service.
This information about Exoprimal comes as part of Capcom’s financial results for the second quarter of the fiscal year ending in March 2024, as published on its Japanese website and machine-translated. This quarter saw an uptick in sales, attributed in part to the release of Street Fighter 6. The company reported a 52.7% increase in sales revenue and a 54.5% rise in profits compared to the same period last year, primarily driven by growth in the digital business. Capcom specifically mentions the inclusion of the dinosaur game on Game Pass.
When asked by an investor about the significant increase in digital licensing revenue from quarter to quarter, Capcom attributed it to the revenue generated by adding Exoprimal to Game Pass. While the exact financial details of this deal are undisclosed, Capcom noted a substantial increase in digital licensing revenue, going from 2.2 billion yen ($14.7 million) to 3.7 billion yen ($24.7 million) year-on-year for the first half of the fiscal year.
Although Exoprimal has faced challenges in gaining a substantial player base on Steam, where it hasn’t exceeded 1,000 concurrent users since August, the partnership with Microsoft has clearly benefited Capcom. However, it remains uncertain whether this will be sufficient for the game to be considered a success. Personally, the game was a pleasant surprise for me. I’m unsure if I would have been content with it as a full-price purchase, but it provided a lot of enjoyment as a Game Pass release that I and my friends could all dive into together.
Exoprimal’s third season is scheduled to feature a crossover with Monster Hunter in early 2024, aligning with the 20th anniversary of the Monster Hunter series. Intriguingly, in its financial results, Capcom refrains from reporting any information about new releases “at this time.” However, it hints at having at least one “currently unannounced major title” scheduled for release before the end of the fiscal year, with the aim of reaching an annual target of 45 million units sold, up from the current 22.6 million units.
Although the specific identity of this game is still unknown, the next installment in the Monster Hunter series appears to be a strong contender. We might possibly receive news of it during The Game Awards at the end of the year, with a potential early 2024 release, aligning with Capcom’s preference for early-year launches. Of course, this remains speculative for now, and we’ll have to wait with hopeful anticipation.
If you’re curious about experiencing Exoprimal’s second season, which features a collaboration with Street Fighter 6, you can explore our Exoprimal tier list to find the best Exosuits and learn how to defeat the final boss in Exoprimal to unlock its endgame modes.