Summary
JoiningPlayStation Plusand theXbox Game Passhas increased the player base of two games by an incredible 3,000%. Both services offer a rotating selection of games every month, providing a mix of new and popular games as well as older and lesser-known titles. Two games, in particular, have seen an incredible boost in players since showing up on the two popular monthly subscription services.
Two websites,TrueTrophiesandTrueAchievements, looked at data from over 3.1 million active PSN accounts and 2.4 million Xbox accounts. They report thatEnder Lilies: Quietus of the Knightssaw a boost of over 3,200% in players since joining PS Plus in August 2024. Over on the Xbox side,Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogygained 2,808% more players since it was added to the Xbox Game Pass on August 7. The massive boost in players has crash-landedCrash Bandicootinto the 11th most-played Xbox game. Meanwhile,Ender Lilieshas gone from not even showing up in the top 500 to being in an impressive eighth most-played game this month.
This RPG From 2020 With Over 800,000 Players Isn’t On Game Pass, But Is On PS Plus
PS Plus & Xbox Game Pass Introduce New Players To Old Games
Curiosity & Nostalgia Drive Player Boost
Ender Liliesis an atmospheric soulslike Metroidvaniadeveloped by Adglobe and Live Wire, released in 2021. The game offers a challenge to lovers of the genre, with dark visuals similar toSalt and Sanctuaryand a dynamic fighting styleinspired byHollow Knight.The game was well-received when it was released but has since fallen off people’s radars. Its appearance on the PS Plus service has introduced many new players to the game.
Many were unfamiliar with the game and simply decided to download and try it because they could. One Reedit thread from userFreespuris full of new fans who discoveredEnter Liliesthis month for the first time. While curiosity prompted them to try it, the game has apparently won its new fanbase over with its well-crafted design and gameplay.
WhileEnder Lilies' big boost in players comes from curious new players,Crash Bandicootis a much better-known name. TheN. Sane Trilogybundles the first threeCrash Bandicootgames in the series, which have the titular protagonist Crash 3D-platforming across colorful stages. The games are known for their distinct cartoonish style but also their challenging nature. In contrast toEnder Lilies,theCrash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy’sboost likely came from a sense of nostalgia.
The sudden leap in players shows how important marketing and availability are for games.Xbox Game PassandPlayStation Plushave both been criticized for not including a larger selection of newer games in their seasonal lineups. However,Ender Lilies: Quietus of the KnightsandCrash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogyare proof of the services' power to breathe new life into old titles.
