Valheim: this survival game made by 5 people made 3 million in 15 days and shatters all records

Released on February 2, 2021 on Steam, Valheim is a game that was undoubtedly not intended to make the front page of all the big media specializing in video games. Developed by Iron Gate Studios, a team of 5 people, the title is to date the most played game on Steam with a number of connected players that are almost beyond comprehension. More than 360,000 people who discovered the world of Valheim, it was higher than the number of players on GTA 5 or Destiny 2 for example. Certainly taken aback by this phenomenal and unexpected success, the publisher Coffe Stain Publishing has cracked a press release to express their joy and gratitude to the players, but also to give us some figures. Valheim, in 16 days of operation, that’s 3 million sales, over 60,000 positive player reviews on Steam, the 7th most steamy game on Twitch, surpassing CS: Go, DOTA 2 and Minecraft, which is d ‘Ores and already 20 million hours of gameplay watched on the Amazon platform. In short, if you still doubted Valheim, and if you ever discover its existence through this article, you are freshly informed.

How to justify such a success in such a short time? It is true that if we stop at the graphics of the game, there is something to be put off. Visually naughty, the game is distinguished by its concept, since it is an open-ended survival game, which is generated in a procedural way, all in a universe of Vikings. After having created his character, here he is catapulted into this hostile world, only dressed in a loincloth. The first thing to do is therefore to create a shelter, to find food, to manufacture weapons since all around you are powerful spirits. The goal being to become the bravest of warriors and gain access to Valhalla, you should not hang around. If in absolute Valheim uses the same mechanics of classic survival games, know that he manages to distinguish himself by the fact that repairing his buildings and his equipment does not require additional resources and even less money. The free use of these elements allows the player to focus on other game mechanics, especially since it will be necessary to manage the life and endurance of his character through the food that we gather and hunt. in the game. Important point, if the character does not eat, he does not die, which again allows stress to be released.

A survival game at its core, Valheim is also a title that promotes exploration of the Viking world, a genre that is at least popular at the moment and well appreciated by players. Better, the title offers gameplay that is close to the big action games of the moment, with a more advanced combat system on basic survival games. It is indeed possible to ward off and dodge enemy attacks with the shield, but also to achieve different types of combos, knowing that impressive bosses (Dark Souls type) are also there to enhance the adventure. Valheim suddenly seems to have taken the best ingredients of AAA Action-RPGs of the moment, but with this multiplayer component (up to 10 people), knowing that it is possible to deactivate the “friendly fire” to avoid the players being massacred between them and thus ruins the experience of team survival game. If Valheim is a game that wants to be above all PvE, it is not forbidden that a PvP mode can be added in the coming months. But clearly, the first inspiration for this title was above all Zelda Breath of the Wild, with this notion of constantly fighting environments. Clearly not the worst inspiration …