According to a recent report, video game adaptations for television result in a 140% average increase in player numbers
A recent study by Ampere Analysis indicates that TV adaptations of video games significantly increase player numbers by an average of nearly 140%. As reported on September 16, 2025, by the UK-based analytics firm, TV adaptations exhibit a stronger impact on franchise growth compared to their film counterparts.
The data from Ampere's Games Analytics shows a player increase of 203% on average after a TV adaptation release, versus 48% for cinematic versions.
Television adaptions of Amazon Prime’s Fallout and HBO’s The Last of Us exemplify the substantial boost these shows can deliver to game series.
The release of the Fallout series in April 2024 achieved a remarkable reach of 100 million viewers globally within six months, leading to a 490% increase in monthly active users of the game's franchise. Notably, 80% of the 14 million new players were engaging with the series for the first time.
In contrast, updates released in June and December for Fallout 76 resulted in a 17% rise in monthly active users on average, according to the same analytics firm.
Sensor Tower highlighted a 225% uptick in daily active users for Fallout 3 and Fallout 4 following the TV show’s premiere, while Fallout Shelter's user base grew by 77%.
An increase in sales accompanied this player surge: sales for Fallout 3 increased by 125%, Fallout 4 saw a rise of 410%, and in-app purchases for Fallout Shelter climbed 150%.
The Fallout TV series is set to return with a second season this December.
HBO's The Last of Us also achieved substantial franchise growth. After its debut in January 2023 with 4.7 million viewers, engagement saw an average boost of 150% across two seasons, per Ampere Analysis.
"Media adaptations are superchargers for the player bases of gaming franchises"Ricardo Parsons, Ampere Analysis
In comparison, the PS5 remaster of The Last of Us Part 2 and the inclusion of The Last of Us Part 1 in the PS Plus catalogue raised monthly player counts by 70% and 29%, respectively.
Ampere Analysis commented on Sony’s strategy of using remasters and broader availability to maintain an active player base, retaining 20% of its players 180 days after peak engagement.
According to Sensor Tower, The Last of Us Part 1 and Part 2 saw daily user increases of 40% after the debut of the TV show’s second season in April 2025.
The television series of The Last of Us will continue into a third season, as confirmed recently. However, co-showrunner Neil Druckmann will step back to focus on other projects but will continue to support the series.
Even series with lesser popularity experience gains from TV adaptations. For instance, the Netflix Devil May Cry series, launching in April 2025, led to a 358% rise in player numbers compared to the earlier month.
Ampere noted that popular games like Minecraft benefit from media adaptations too, with an increase of 30% in monthly active users following the release of A Minecraft Movie in April 2025, with 54% representing lapsed players.
"Media adaptations serve as catalysts for gaming franchises," stated Ricardo Parsons, an analyst at Ampere Analysis. "They bring in new users in large numbers, attracting everyone from newcomers exploring Fallout to returning Minecraft fans.
"Unlike downloadable content or remasters, successful adaptations expand these narratives to a broader audience, thereby enhancing their reach.
"With adaptations of Call of Duty, Life is Strange, and Dark Deception recently announced, Ampere predicts this trend will continue, benefiting publishers seeking new players and studios eager for established fanbases."