Stray Breaks the Record for the Biggest PC Game Launch from Annapurna

The newest game from Annapurna Interactive, titled Stray, which lets players guide a lost cat through a gorgeous cyberpunk landscape in search of its owner, broke the publisher’s PC launch record on the day it was released.

Stray Breaks Record

Stray shattered Annapurna’s previous record for a PC game release, according to a tweet covered by Video Games Chronicle. The adventure game attracted more than 50,000 concurrent players on Steam about 12 hours after its release.

The game Twelve Minutes from 2021 had previously set the high record with only 8,021, so Stray accrued more than 6 times as many plays. Outer Wilds, which earned 7,936, Neon White, which earned 3,277, and Journey, which earned 1,757, round out Annapurna’s top five games. By day’s end, Stray’s popularity had increased even further.

When VGC released its report, the game was ranked 13 by player count, behind free-to-play smash Apex Legends and AAA games like Grand Theft Auto. It was developed by the small French studio BlueTwelve Studio. On July 19, this game became available on PC and PlayStation. It costs $29.99, although PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium customers can get it for free.

Review of the Game

The appreciation for Stray has been overwhelming. It has been dubbed a “triumph” by Polygon. Kotaku found the game to be both enjoyable and thoughtful, and IGN never got tired of the incredibly detailed world. The game was described as being “new, charming, and gorgeous” in CBR’s review.

The so-called “cat simulator’s” success shouldn’t be a surprise given that it supplanted The Day Before as the most-wanted game on Steam in early July. While Stray had long been gaining popularity, The Day Before’s developer Fntastic’s use of unpaid “volunteers” and the ensuing controversy also contributed to its demise as the most popular game.

Although Stray has a limited amount of gameplay, its gorgeous design and immersive open environment have quickly earned it a cult favorite. The cat protagonist’s ability to pet or rather nuzzle other cats in the game is a crucial component.

In line with the perennially significant inquiry, “Can you pet the dog?” Between the player cat and cats discovered throughout the game world, BlueTwelve has incorporated a cuddling feature replete with purrs and friendly grooming. Stray is currently accessible on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 as well as the PC via Steam.

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