Phantom Blade Zero: Analyst Counts 500,000 Steam Sales Before Launch
By Indie Kings | October 26, 2026
Updated October 26, 2026: Alinea Analytics estimates S-Game's Phantom Blade Zero has already sold roughly 500,000 copies on Steam before its October 29 launch, worth about $24 million, with PS5 pre-orders described as strong.
Image: Wushu sword performance via Wikimedia Commons.
The estimate, and who made it
Per Gamingbolt, Alinea Analytics analyst Rhys Elliott estimates Phantom Blade Zero has moved around 500,000 copies on Steam before launch, generating about $24 million, and that PS5 pre-orders are also performing well. Elliott argues the hype has already turned into sales and that S-Game's action RPG is on track to be one of the biggest single-player hits of 2026. The studio has not published any pre-release sales data itself: the official launch is October 29 on PC and PS5. What the studio did confirm, from director Ciwei "Soulframe" Liang, is that first-week pre-orders "significantly exceeded" expectations.
Wishlist momentum
The pressure valves show in the wishlists: the game passed 3 million additions in mid-September, and per Elliott it still counted 2.5 million on Steam as of October 20, with the combined figure across both platforms likely higher. A launch that converts even a fraction of that backlog is the kind of debut competitors plan their release dates around, and it explains why S-Game is choosing a week where it owns the conversation rather than trading punches with a AAA shelf.
Count at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Game | Phantom Blade Zero, S-Game action RPG |
| Steam pre-release sales | About 500,000 copies, estimated at $24 million |
| Estimate source | Alinea Analytics analyst Rhys Elliott, via Gamingbolt |
| Launch | October 29, 2026 on PC and PS5 |
| Wishlists | 3 million total by mid-September; 2.5 million on Steam as of Oct 20 |
| Studio statement | First-week pre-orders "significantly exceeded" expectations (Soulframe) |
| Caveat | S-Game has not disclosed official pre-release figures |
FAQ
How many copies has Phantom Blade Zero sold before release?
About 500,000 on Steam per Alinea Analytics, worth roughly $24 million, though the studio itself has not confirmed any figure.
When does the game launch?
October 29, 2026, on PC and PS5, with pre-orders already open on both platforms.
Who made the estimate?
Analyst Rhys Elliott of Alinea Analytics, whose figures Gamingbolt reported on October 26.
Are PS5 pre-orders doing well?
Yes, per the same analysis, PS5 pre-orders are showing good results alongside the Steam tally.
What has the developer said?
Director Ciwei "Soulframe" Liang confirmed first-week pre-orders significantly exceeded expectations.
Is this a wuxia game?
Yes, Phantom Blade Zero is built around fast, cinematic kung fu swordplay, which is where much of its viral appeal comes from.
Bottom Line
Half a million copies before a single person has played the full game is the market voting early, and $24 million in Steam pre-release money means S-Game has already banked a solo production budget on goodwill alone. The analyst read is bullish, the studio read is coy, and neither said the word "final," which is worth remembering when the true launch number lands after October 29.
Sources
- Gamingbolt via iXBT Games: Phantom Blade Zero sold 500,000 copies on Steam before release, Oct 26 2026, accessed 26 October 2026
- S-Game (director Ciwei "Soulframe" Liang) statement on first-week pre-orders
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