Part 5/9:
While sexualization may indeed attract initial attention, it doesn't sustain long-term engagement. If the game were merely a shallow fanservice spectacle, player retention and sustained popularity would be unlikely. Instead, the data tells a different story: players are drawn to the game's quality—its combat mechanics, design, and storytelling—beyond just physical appeal.
Comparing Stellar Blade to Major Industry Titles
To put Stellar Blade's success into perspective, consider how it outperforms several major Sony-first-party titles on Steam:
Ghost of Tsushima Director's Cut: peaked at roughly 77,000 players
God of War: around 73,500 players
Spider-Man Remastered: near 66,400 players
Horizon Zero Dawn: about 56,500 players