Rise to Fame for Hypercharge
Hypercharge, a quirky shooter featuring action figures, recently surged to become one of the top 10 sellers on PS5 over the weekend, largely due to the developers’ authenticity. With countless games releasing daily across major platforms, the harsh truth is many never succeed. Live service games like Fortnite dominate most user bases on gaming platforms. Consequently, numerous titles struggle to recoup their development costs, leading us to Hypercharge: Unboxed, a third-person shooter showcasing action figures, which was released for Xbox and PlayStation at the end of May.
A Fan-Favorite Since 2020
Initially launched on Steam in 2020, Hypercharge made a splash in the gaming community. Gameplay videos frequently went viral as players were enchanted by its Toy Story-like aesthetics. The game boasts a “Very Positive” rating on Steam, with a notable review celebrating the game as “pure childhood joy,” a commendable feat for a five-person development team.
Challenges in a Competitive Landscape
Fast forward to 2025, when the shooter market has become increasingly competitive, making Hypercharge‘s success uncertain. Despite its launch being equipped with cross-platform capabilities, initial interest appeared lacking this year. A popular Steam review from May 12 comically stated, “Game is dead.”
Addressing Player Concerns
Console gamers soon recognized a similar trend, with some players expressing their discontent on social media about the meager online player count, with claims of “literally 5 people online.” The developers at Digital Cybercherries acknowledged this in a heartfelt response, stating they valued the joy their game brought to any player, regardless of the audience size.
Authentic Developer Reflections
The developers elaborated in a follow-up post, explaining that they created the game with the same enthusiasm they had as children. “Making games has never been about getting rich, becoming famous, or having the most concurrent players,” they emphasized, noting their contentment with simply doing what they love while being able to support their families.
Viral Response and Sales Surge
This candid approach resonated on social media, garnering over 600,000 views and propelling the game into the top 10 sellers on PS5 over the weekend. Enthusiastic responses from fans indicated a swell of support, some expressing intent to purchase the game soon.
Future Aspirations
While Hypercharge may have slipped from the bestseller ranks, it remains prominent as the fifth bestselling new release on PS5, much to the developers’ delight. Joe Henson, the marketing lead, noted the surreal nature of the experience, emphasizing their joy at seeing their small, independent title stand shoulder to shoulder with major AAA games. Looking ahead, the team aims to address bugs and ensure functionality, relishing in their accomplishments so far.
