On September 22, 2024, Steam set a new milestone by reaching 38.3 million concurrent players, surpassing its previous record of 37.2 million set in August. The surge was largely driven by the highly anticipated launch of the game Black Myth: Wukong.
Steam has experienced remarkable growth in the past year. In January 2023, the record stood at 33 million concurrent players, which was first broken in March with 36 million and then in August with 37 million. This increase of five million players in less than a year highlights the steady expansion of the PC gaming market and Steam’s growing user base.
New Steam Record
The surge in Steam’s player numbers can be attributed to several blockbuster titles, including Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, PUBG, and the recent release of Black Myth: Wukong. Additionally, the arrival of former PlayStation exclusives like God of War Ragnarok and Final Fantasy 16 has attracted even more players to the platform over the weekend.
Steam’s growing influence in the PC gaming market continues to rise despite competition from platforms like Epic Games Store and GOG. The release of the Steam Deck has also expanded the platform’s reach, allowing players to enjoy their games on handheld devices, not just desktops.
The recent record of 38 million concurrent players is a major milestone for Steam, and with upcoming titles like the next Call of Duty, it’s speculated that the platform may exceed 40 million players before the end of 2024.