Phantom Blade Zero is shaping up to be one of the biggest game launches of 2026, with the upcoming action title reportedly generating $14.5 million in pre-order revenue on Steam before its release.
Developed by S-Game, the game has already attracted 1.6 million Steam wishlists and is estimated to have sold around 300,000 copies during the early pre-order period, according to data from analytics firm Alinea Analytics.
The game is scheduled to launch on October 28 for PC and PlayStation 5. It is currently available for pre-order for $60 in international markets, while the Brazilian price is R$229.90.
Chinese players drive strong early demand
A significant portion of the interest in Phantom Blade Zero is coming from China, where the game has generated considerable attention ahead of launch.
Of the 1.6 million Steam users who have added the title to their wishlists, approximately 29% are based in China. The United States accounts for another 17%, while Japan represents around 5%. The remaining wishlists are distributed across other regions.
Alinea Analytics believes the strong domestic interest is one of the main factors behind the game’s impressive pre-launch performance. The trend is similar to what happened with Black Myth: Wukong, which became one of the most successful games ever produced by a Chinese studio.
The comparison becomes more significant when looking at pre-release sales. According to the firm’s estimates, Phantom Blade Zero has already reached approximately 73% of the pre-order volume recorded by Black Myth: Wukong around 70 days before its release.
The game is also reportedly selling at a much faster rate than Wuchang: Fallen Feathers, another Chinese-developed soulslike released in 2025. Phantom Blade Zero has reached roughly 6.4 times the pre-order volume achieved by that title during a comparable period.
Government approval gives Phantom Blade Zero an advantage
One factor that could help S-Game maintain its momentum is the game’s approval for release in mainland China.
Unlike many Chinese-developed games that struggle to obtain the necessary publishing authorisation for their home market, Phantom Blade Zero has secured a license and is scheduled to launch in China simultaneously with its international release.
Analyst Daniel Camilo, who specializes in the Chinese games market, said the approval gives S-Game and its partners greater freedom to promote the game domestically.
With the title cleared for release, the publisher can pursue a broader marketing campaign in China instead of facing the restrictions that affect games without a domestic publishing license.
That could include additional promotional events, creator campaigns and media activity as the launch approaches.
The timing of the release could make the game’s early momentum particularly important.
Phantom Blade Zero launches on October 28, putting it less than a month ahead of Grand Theft Auto 6. Despite the proximity to Rockstar’s highly anticipated blockbuster, S-Game appears confident in the game’s ability to attract players.
The strong pre-order figures suggest that the studio has already built a substantial audience before launch, particularly in China and other major gaming markets.
S-Game has continued to promote the game with new footage, including a recent trailer that offers additional details about its world and gameplay.
With hundreds of thousands of copies reportedly sold before release and more than 1.6 million Steam users already waiting for it, Phantom Blade Zero has established itself as one of the most closely watched new releases of 2026. The game’s actual performance, however, will depend on whether that early interest translates into strong sales after launch.
