By Even now, my soul’s ablaze
- penned by Robert Ramsey
Guilty Gear Strive has now eclipsed 3.5 million users since debuting back in 2021.
Considering the franchise’s once-hidden and ultra-obscure origins, that’s a downright staggering number. Strive has become a smash hit for Arc System Works — and, let’s be real, it probably sailed well beyond whatever lofty projections the studio once scribbled on a whiteboard.
Around this very week in 2023, Strive crossed the 2.5-million-player threshold — so the momentum clearly hasn’t stalled since. The brand-new Switch version that just arrived no doubt provided an extra shot in the arm.
True, Strive hasn’t flawlessly charmed every long-time Guilty Gear purist, yet the game has unmistakably resonated with a far broader crowd. Even four-plus years on, the competitive circuit remains robust and eager for more.
On top of all that, the devs just promised that Strive’s life cycle will roll into 2026. Version 2.00 touches down next year, accompanied by extra pugilists.
The lingering question, though, is what Guilty Gear’s next chapter will look like. By this point, any follow-up has mighty footwear to step into, and it’ll be fascinating to find out where the series pivots next.
Do you count yourself among Guilty Gear devotees? How do you read this colossal success story? Drop your fiercest combos in the comments area down below.
[source x.com]
Robert — you can call him Rob when brevity rules — is an assistant editor at Push Square. Been enamored with PlayStation ever since Tekken 2 dragged him into the unbelievable world of gaming during the 90s. He still treats fighters with archival-level respect, yet RPGs own his heart: The Witcher, Persona, Dragon Quest, Mass Effect, Final Fantasy, Trails, Tales — name it and he’s logged hundreds of hours. Maybe too many.