Imagine a world where millions of players dedicate countless hours to a single game. That's exactly what happened with AdHoc's 'Dispatch,' and the numbers are staggering. But what do these stats really tell us about how we play and the choices we make in interactive storytelling? Let's dive in.
Released near the end of 2025, 'Dispatch,' an episodic adventure game, quickly captivated players. To celebrate the new year, AdHoc released a breakdown video showcasing impressive statistics, highlighting the game's significant impact since its launch. You can check out the original announcement here: [link to X post].
The raw numbers are astonishing. Across its eight episodes, players collectively completed a whopping 52.5 million shifts and answered an incredible 727 million calls. This translates to over 1 billion hero deployments! Unfortunately, AdHoc hasn't revealed which hero was the most frequently deployed throughout the entire season. Perhaps that's a secret they're saving for a potential Season 2?
But here's where it gets controversial... The game presented players with tough narrative choices, particularly concerning the Z-Team. And the player preferences were clear. A significant 2.8 million players chose to cut Coupe from the team, compared to only 1.6 million who opted to remove Sonar. Similarly, 2.4 million players decided to keep Invisigal, while 1.1 million wanted her gone. And then there's Waterboy: 2.3 million players brought the often-underestimated Waterboy onto the team to fill a vacant spot, while 2 million chose the Superman-esque Phenomaman instead. These decisions spark debate: What qualities do players value most in their superhero team members? Is it raw power, strategic ability, or perhaps a compelling backstory? What would you have done differently?
These decisions weren't just about gameplay; they were about emotional investment. And this is the part most people miss... The choices players made reflect their personal values and how they perceive leadership and teamwork. It's fascinating to see how a simple game can reveal so much about our own decision-making processes.
Romance also played a significant role in 'Dispatch,' and the data reveals some interesting trends. A substantial 1.9 million players pursued a romantic relationship with Invisigal, while 1 million chose Blonde Blazer. However, not everyone found love. A combined 330,000 players experienced less-than-ideal romantic outcomes: 266,000 ended up with "complicated" situations between both women, and 164,000 didn't find romance with anyone at all. Did these numbers reflect the writing quality of the different romance paths, or were they simply a matter of player preference?
AdHoc's data provides a fascinating glimpse into player behavior, even if some feel it could be more detailed. While the game already shows how your choices compare to other players at the end of each episode, it would be interesting to see collective statistics, such as the overall success rate of calls or the most-leveled stat for each hero. What additional data points would you like to see?
Regardless, the numbers speak for themselves: 'Dispatch' has been a resounding success. With over 3 million copies sold, it has become a genuine online phenomenon, racking up over 23 million watch hours across YouTube and Twitch and inspiring over 55,000 content creators on YouTube, Twitch, and TikTok. AdHoc has previously stated that the game has exceeded its sales targets, and they seem open to developing a second season after completing their 'Critical Role' game. In the meantime, 'Dispatch' is currently available on PC and PlayStation 5, with a Nintendo Switch release planned for later in January.
So, what do you think? Do these statistics surprise you? Do they change your perception of 'Dispatch' or episodic adventure games in general? And more importantly, which Z-Team member would you cut, keep, or recruit? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
