Steam has solidified its status as the leading digital storefront for PC gaming, achieving a new all-time high of 38,367,277 concurrent users. This remarkable growth highlights the platform’s increasing popularity, especially when compared to 2020, when peak concurrent users were around 18 million.
A Surge in Gaming Activity
Among the record-breaking users, approximately 12 million were actively engaged in games at the moment the milestone was reached. Several key titles have contributed significantly to this surge:
Counter-Strike 2: Valve’s flagship title, boasting a 24-hour peak of 1,459,492 players.
PUBG: A classic battle royale with a peak of 787,340 players.
Dota 2: A staple in the MOBA genre, reaching 731,193 players.
Black Myth: Wukong: Gaining traction with 533,128 players.
Naraka: Bladepoint: Attracting 298,908 players.
Notably, a quirky title called “Banana,” which gained attention for allowing users to potentially earn money by clicking a virtual banana, has also seen inflated player counts due to bot activity.
More Games and Releases Than Ever
The rise in player count is accompanied by an unprecedented number of game releases on Steam. In 2020, 9,699 games launched on the platform, while in 2024, that number soared to 14,422—another record high. Historically, only 71 games were released in 2006, underscoring the platform’s expansive growth.
As of January 2024, Steam offered over 73,000 unique games, not including numerous DLCs and expansions. This vast library caters to a diverse audience, from indie developers to major AAA titles, positioning Steam as the backbone of the PC gaming market.
With momentum like this, it’s likely that Steam will soon surpass 40 million concurrent users, further cementing its dominance in the gaming landscape.
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