In a recent announcement, FromSoftware’s Elden Ring has sold a staggering 20 million copies worldwide since its release just a year ago. While sales figures are not usually something Kotaku would cover, this achievement is worth highlighting. Elden Ring, a punishing action/RPG with a singleplayer focus, is making a statement that not every modern video game has to be a live service or “Forever Game” demanding constant attention and money from players.

Elden Ring offers a complete experience without the need for DLC, season passes, or microtransactions. For those tired of the constant demands of modern gaming, it’s a near-perfect experience. And while many other singleplayer games have received critical acclaim, Elden Ring’s 20 million copies sold show that it can be a blockbuster success.

Although specific sales figures can be difficult to confirm in the age of digital storefronts, 20 million puts Elden Ring in the same league as heavyweights like Modern Warfare 2 and FIFA, despite not having nearly the same promotional budget. It’s a remarkable achievement for a game that’s notoriously challenging and caters to a niche audience. Elden Ring’s success shows that publishers can still find success with traditional, standalone games, without the need for constant monetization tactics.

It’s not just Elden Ring that’s proving the worth of standalone, singleplayer games. Cyberpunk 2077, God of War Ragnarok, and Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order have all sold over 10 million copies each, with Cyberpunk and Elden Ring breaking the 20 million mark. These sales figures aren’t just successes for the companies involved, but a sign that gamers may be getting tired of games that are constantly trying to fleece them for more money. While live service games have the potential to make more money, not every game has to be a live service. People just want to play a game, finish it, and move on. And with these blockbuster sales figures, it’s clear that there are enough of those people to support these types of games.