I used the numbers for 5 months (or nearest to 5 months anyways) from the post launch peak. That way there is context to Starfield's 96% (or 97% as in that article) player drop off rate after release as we have some comparison points.
One thing I'm wondering is if FO4 and Skyrim (or The Witcher 3) relatively smaller drop off says something about the games themselves or that the numbers aren't as comparable due to the difference in time frame. I might try to think of some other major/hype launch titles that had inherent high re-playability from around a decade ago to add some more numbers.
those numbers really surprise me, because I am sure that Skyrim had loads of players 5 months after launch, to name one. The Witcher 3 too, and I am currently playing Elden Ring -was waiting for the RT patch, not super impressive but it's better than nothing-. A game that I played a lot, which is not typical given how the game is and that you can complete it in just a bit more than 2 hours is Resident Evil 2 Remake. I have 100 hours in it, and it's one of my favourite games ever.
I don't have Starfield for several reasons, one of them being that visiting large like planets don't appeal to me. It's enough to get to know huge maps like Skyrim and the carefully crafted world of Elden Ring, or The Witcher 3, that's what I consider realistic and fun.
But recreating an entire planet is complex, and I'd say maybe no-fun, not to mention lots of planets. Definitely not for me.
A crafted world without being randomly generated and soulless, sounds much more appealing.
The numbers of BG3 are pretty good, in a day and age where there are a lot of games, even great games given away for free, where the offer is so high, the player numbers are still solid.
It'd be curious to know how Skyrim would fare if it was released 5 months ago, that's an eternal game.
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