Franchises like Fallout and The Last of Us have seen multiplier gains in player engagement after their screen debuts, providing a model increasingly attractive to both game publishers and streaming platforms alike.
Massive Growth Figures
- Fallout’s TV series launching on Amazon Prime Video in 2024 nearly quadrupled its monthly active users (MAUs), with a 490% increase over pre-series levels. Around 80% of that growth came from players new to the franchise.
- HBO’s two seasons of The Last of Us boosted the franchise by about 150% in engagement on average. For comparison, later game releases — like The Last of Us Part II remaster or making The Last of Us Part I available via PlayStation Plus — generated more modest rises, in the range of 70% and 29% respectively.
TV vs. Movies: A Clear Difference
- On average, TV adaptations yield a 203% player uplift. In contrast, movie adaptations deliver closer to 48%.
- Even shows with relatively low popularity spikes (Netflix’s Devil May Cry anime, peaking at only the 58th most-watched TV show in April 2025) still saw 358% growth in players month-over-month.
More Than Just New Players
- Some of the boosts come from reactivating lapsed players: for example, Minecraft saw a 30% increase in MAUs with its movie release in April 2025, including a large share of returning players.
- Retention strategies also play a key role. Sony’s handling of The Last of Us franchise — through remasters and expanded availability — helped maintain 20% of its new peak engagement after 180 days.
What It Means Going Forward
Ampere’s findings suggest that TV adaptations are one of the most powerful tools available for game publishers seeking audience expansion. With several more adaptations in the pipeline — including for Call of Duty, Life is Strange, and God of War — this trend looks likely to continue.
