Counter-Strike 2 is the most played game of all time on Steam. PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS holds another major record, with its all-time peak crossing 3.25 million players online at the same time.
Steam is going to release e more than 23,000 new games in 2026, yet only a small number manage to pull in millions of players. Some titles have built huge communities over the years, while others continue to break player records.
This article looks at the most-played games on Steam, the highest player counts ever recorded, daily and monthly rankings, and the titles leading in different genres.
Key Statistics on Most Played Games on Steam
- Counter-Strike 2 leads Steam with 448.5K concurrent players
- PUBG holds the highest-ever Steam peak at 3.25 million players.
- Phantom Blade Zero recorded 833,921 concurrent players after launch.
- Steam is expected to release 23,817 new games in 2026.
Note: The number of players fluctuates every day. Due to dynamic data, our reports are dated as of 2nd November, 2026.
Most Played Games on Steam of All Time
Counter-Strike 2 is the most played game on Steam, with a large active player base and consistent player activity.
PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS holds the record for the highest all-time concurrent player count on Steam, reaching 3.25M players in January 2018.
The table below presents the top 10 most played games on Steam by all-time peak players:
| No. | Games | All-Time Peak Players |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS | 3.25M |
| 2 | Black Myth: Wukong | 2.41M |
| 3 | Palworld | 2.10M |
| 4 | Counter-Strike 2 | 1.86M |
| 5 | Monster Hunter Wilds | 1.38M |
| 6 | Lost Ark | 1.32M |
| 7 | Dota 2 | 1.29M |
| 8 | Cyberpunk 2077 | 1.05M |
| 9 | ELDEN RING | 953.4K |
| 10 | Banana | 917.2K |
Phantom Blade Zero reached an all-time peak of 833.9K concurrent players following its release on October 29, 2026. It recorded a higher peak than Call of Duty, which reached 491.6K players.
Team Fortress 2, released on October 10, 2007, has recorded an all-time peak of 253.9K concurrent players. Nearly 19 years after its release, the game continues to attract players on Steam.
Source: SteamDB
Top 10 Most Played Games on Steam by Current Players
Counter-Strike 2 is the most played game on Steam right now, with 448.5K players online as of 2nd November, 2026. Phantom Blade Zero is in second place with 351.1K players, while Dota 2 follows with 327.6K.
Here’s a table showing the top 10 most played Steam games by current player count on November 2, 2026.
| No. | Game | Current Players |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Counter-Strike 2 | 448.5K |
| 2 | Phantom Blade Zero | 351.1K |
| 3 | Dota 2 | 327.6K |
| 4 | PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS | 226.3K |
| 5 | Deadlock | 169.4K |
| 6 | AION 2 | 133.3K |
| 7 | Bongo Cat | 127.2K |
| 8 | Call of Duty | 123.3K |
| 9 | Cyberpunk 2077 | 99.1K |
| 10 | FiveM | 88.1K |
Cyberpunk 2077 is the only single-player story-driven game in the top 10. Released in December 2020, it still attracts close to 100K concurrent players, showing that its player base remains strong years after launch.
Source: Steam
Top 10 Most Played Games on Steam by Daily Players
Counter-Strike 2 leads the daily player chart with a 24-hour peak of 1.28M players on 2nd November, 2026. Phantom Blade Zero comes second with 833.9K, followed closely by Dota 2 with 802.6K.
The table below ranks the top 10 most played games on Steam by their highest player count over the last 24 hours on November 2, 2026.
| No. | Game | Peak Players |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Counter-Strike 2 | 1.28M |
| 2 | Phantom Blade Zero | 833.9K |
| 3 | Dota 2 | 802.6K |
| 4 | PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS | 802.2K |
| 5 | Deadlock | 263.2K |
| 6 | Apex Legends | 203.5K |
| 7 | Call of Duty | 193.9K |
| 8 | Cyberpunk 2077 | 168.7K |
| 9 | War Thunder | 106.7K |
| 10 | Grand Theft Auto V Legacy | 75.7K |
More than a decade after their launches, Counter-Strike 2 and Dota 2 continue to attract large numbers of players every day. Both games still record daily player peaks that exceed 60% of their respective all-time highs, showing that their player communities remain active years after release.
Source: Steam
Most Popular Games on Steam (By All-Time Peak Players)
PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS is the most popular game on Steam by all-time peak players, reaching 3.25M concurrent players. That is around 1.7 times the record of Counter-Strike 2, which peaked at 1.86M.
The table below ranks the 10 most popular Steam games by their highest recorded concurrent player count.
Note: One thing to remember is that a high player peak doesn’t always mean a game will stay popular for years. Black Myth: Wukong and Palworld attracted huge crowds soon after launch, but their player numbers later dropped.
Most Popular Games on Steam by Genre
Shooters, action games, and role-playing games are among the most popular genres on Steam. Each genre has its own standout title, from competitive multiplayer games to casual puzzle games.
Here’s a table listing some of the most popular Steam games across different genres.
| Game | Genre | Release Date |
|---|---|---|
| Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 | First-person shooter | 23 Oct, 2026 |
| PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS | Third-person shooter | 21 Dec 2017 |
| Phantom Blade Zero | Hack & Slash | 29 Oct, 2026 |
| A Little to the Left | Hidden Objects | 8 Nov, 2022 |
| The Sims 4 | Casual | 19 Jun 2020 |
| Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse | Metroidvania | 15 Oct, 2026 |
| Warframe | Action Role-Playing | 25 Mar, 2013 |
| Dota 2 | Strategy Role-Playing | 9 Jul, 2013 |
Source: Steam
Most Played Games on Steam in 2025
Steam divided its most played games of 2025 into four: Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze. Platinum includes the games with the most playtime, followed by Gold, Silver, and Bronze.
The games below are listed in Stream’s order within each tier.
Platinum Tier
Left 4 Dead 2 is the oldest game in this tier. Released in 2009, it still attracts players who enjoy teaming up with friends to fight zombies.
The table below shows the most-played games on Steam in 2025 for the Platinum tier.
| No. | Game | Release Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Counter-Strike 2 | 21 Aug, 2012 |
| 2 | Marvel Rivals | 6 Dec, 2024 |
| 3 | Left 4 Dead 2 | 17 Nov, 2009 |
| 4 | R.E.P.O. | 26 Feb, 2025 |
| 5 | Apex Legends | 5 Nov, 2020 |
| 6 | Dota 2 | 9 Jul, 2013 |
Source: Steam
Gold Tier
Battlefield 6 reached the Gold tier despite being released in October 2025, giving it less than three months to build its player base that year.
The table below shows the most played games on Steam in 2025 for the Gold tier.
| No. | Game | Release Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | It Takes Two | 26 Mar, 2021 |
| 2 | Battlefield 6 | 10 Oct, 2025 |
| 3 | Cyberpunk 2077 | 10 Dec, 2020 |
| 4 | Phasmophobia | 18 Sep, 2020 |
| 5 | Rainbow 6 Siege | 1 Dec, 2015 |
| 6 | Euro Truck Simulator 2 | 12 Oct, 2012 |
Source: Steam
Silver Tier
tModLoader differs from the other titles in this tier because it is a modding tool for Terraria, allowing players to install community-made mods and customise their gameplay. Its place on this list shows how much time players spend with community-made content.
The table below shows the most played games on Steam in 2025 for the Silver tier.
| No. | Game | Release Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lethal Company | 24 Oct, 2023 |
| 2 | tModLoader | 16 May, 2020 |
| 3 | Among Us | 16 Nov, 2018 |
| 4 | The Sims 4 | 19 Jun, 2020 |
| 5 | Monster Hunter Wilds | 28 Feb, 2025 |
| 6 | War Thunder | 15 Aug, 2013 |
Source: Steam
Bronze Tier
Hollow Knight: Silksong arrived in September 2025 after years of anticipation and made it ot Bronze tier within a few months. Hearts of Iron IV is another notable entry. It’s a strategy game from 2016 that still has a dedicated player base.
The table below shows the most played games on Steam in 2025 for the Bronze tier.
| No. | Game | Release Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hearts of Iron IV | 6 Jun, 2016 |
| 2 | Raft: The Final Chapter | 20 Jun, 2022 |
| 3 | Hollow Knight: Silksong | 4 Sep, 2025 |
| 4 | Risk of Rain 2 | 11 Aug, 2020 |
| 5 | Goose Goose Duck | 4 Oct, 2021 |
| 6 | Path of Exile 2 | 7 Dec, 2024 |
Source: Steam
Together, these four tiers show that Steam players enjoy all kinds of games. New releases, older multiplayer titles, strategy games, and even modding tools all found a place among the most played games of 2025/
How Many People Use Steam?
Steam had 132 million monthly active users in 2021, almost double the 67 million recorded in 2017. These numbers offer a glimpse of how much the platform has grown over the years. For more details, check out these Steam statistics, including its user base, revenue, and gaming trends.
The figures below show how Steam’s monthly user base grew over those five years.
| Year | Monthly Active User |
| 2017 | 67 million |
| 2018 | 90 million |
| 2019 | 95 million |
| 2020 | 120 million |
| 2021 | 132 million |
The biggest jump came between 2019 and 2020, when Steam gained 25 million monthly active users as more people were staying home during that period, and gaming became a popular way to spend their free time.
Source: Statista
Upcoming Games on Steam (New Releases)
Steam has several new games scheduled for release in these last two months of 2026. Football Manager 27, DreamWorks Shrek 2 Remastered, and Warhammer Survivors are among the notable releases.
The table below lists the upcoming popular Steam games.
| Game | Release Date |
|---|---|
| ArcheAge Chronicles | 4 Nov, 2026 |
| just volleyball | 4 Nov, 2026 |
| Loftia | 3 Nov, 2026 |
| Football Manager 27 | 10 Nov, 2026 |
| Godzilla: Destroy All Monsters Melee Remastered | 3 Nov, 2026 |
| Find the Needle | 6 Nov, 2026 |
| Dreadmoor | 9 Nov, 2026 |
| Dreamworks Shrek 2 Remastered | 10 Nov, 2026 |
| Cozy Game Restoration | 5 Nov, 2026 |
| Worst Class Ever | 10 Nov, 2026 |
| Gravhounds | 2 Nov, 2026 |
| Death at Fleming Manor | 3 Nov, 2026 |
| Drawquarium | 13 Nov, 2026 |
| Warhammer Survivors | 10 Nov, 2026 |
| Boost Vector X | 3 Nov, 2026 |
| County of Fortune | 5 Nov, 2026 |
Source: Steam
Tip: If you’re waiting for a new multiplayer game, add it to your Steam wishlist and keep an eye on its player count after launch. The first week can give you an idea of how much interest the game is getting.
Most Played Games on Steam Deck
The Steam Deck lets players enjoy PC games on the go. Games that work well in short sessions, along with long RPGs that offer hours of gameplay, both have a place on its charts.
Top 10 Most Played Games on Steam Deck in the Past Week
Slay the Spire is the most played game on Steam Deck in the past week. Cyberpunk 2077 and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt are also popular choices among Steam Deck players.
The table below shows the top 10 most played Steam Deck games over the past week (27 Oct – 2 Nov, 2026).
| No. | Game | Release Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Slay the Spire 2 | 5 Mar, 2026 |
| 2 | Cyberpunk 2077 | 10 Dec, 2020 |
| 3 | Final Fantasy Resonance | 22 Oct, 2026 |
| 4 | The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth | 4 Nov, 2014 |
| 5 | Stardew Valley | 26 Feb, 2016 |
| 6 | The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Remastered | 18 May, 2015 |
| 7 | Baldur’s Gate 3 | 3 Aug, 2023 |
| 8 | Balatro | 20 Feb, 2024 |
| 9 | The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition | 28 Oct, 2016 |
| 10 | Disney Dreamlight Valley | 5 Dec, 2023 |
Source: Steam
Top 10 Most Played Games on Steam Deck in the Past Month
Slay the Spire is the most played Steam Deck game in the past month of October 2026. Here are the 10 most played games on the Steam Deck over the past month.
| No. | Game | Release Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Slay the Spire 2 | 5 Mar, 2026 |
| 2 | The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Remastered | 18 May, 2015 |
| 3 | Cyberpunk 2077 | 10 Dec, 2020 |
| 4 | Stardew Valley | 26 Feb, 2016 |
| 5 | The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth | 4 Nov, 2014 |
| 6 | Final Fantasy Resonance | 22 Oct, 2026 |
| 7 | Baldur’s Gate 3 | 3 Aug, 2023 |
| 8 | Balatro | 20 Feb, 2024 |
| 9 | The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition | 28 Oct, 2016 |
| 10 | Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse | 15 Oct, 2026 |
Source: Steam
Best-Selling Games on Steam (2026)
Phantom Blade Zero takes the top spot among Steam’s best-selling games in 2026, with Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 in second place.
Steam’s sales rankings are based on revenue, not copies sold. That’s why free-to-play games can appear high on the list too. Money spent on skins, battle passes, and other in-game items counts towards their ranking.
Here are the 10 games that earned the most on Steam in 2026.
| No. | Game | Release Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Phantom Blade Zero | Oct 2026 |
| 2 | Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 | Oct 2026 |
| 3 | Counter-Strike 2 | Aug 2012 |
| 4 | AION 2 | Oct 2026 |
| 5 | Dota 2 | Jul 2013 |
| 6 | PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS | Dec 2017 |
| 7 | Moon Sweepers | Oct 2026 |
| 8 | Dead by Daylight | Jun 2016 |
| 9 | Crimson Desert Enhanced | Mar 2026 |
| 10 | EA Sports FC 27 | Sep 2026 |
There are three free-to-play games in the top six: Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, and PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS. They earn money through in-game purchases, including skins, cosmetics, and passes.
Source: SteamDB
Total Games Released on Steam
Steam is expected to see around 23,817 new game releases in 2026, which works out to roughly 65 games every day. The number of games released on the platform has grown sharply over the past two decades.
The table below shows the number of games released on Steam each year from 2006 to 2026.
| Year | Number of Games |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 70 |
| 2007 | 135 |
| 2008 | 242 |
| 2009 | 380 |
| 2010 | 275 |
| 2011 | 281 |
| 2012 | 303 |
| 2013 | 436 |
| 2014 | 1,712 |
| 2015 | 2,820 |
| 2016 | 4,646 |
| 2017 | 6,925 |
| 2018 | 8,863 |
| 2019 | 8,056 |
| 2020 | 9,629 |
| 2021 | 11,210 |
| 2022 | 12,229 |
| 2023 | 14,016 |
| 2024 | 18,427 |
| 2025 | 21,213 |
| 2026 (est.) | 23,817 |
The biggest jump in releases came between 2013 and 2014, when the yearly count went from 436 to 1,712 games. This was the time Steam opened its platform to more developers, making it easier for smaller studios to publish their games.
The number has continued to rise. Steam saw a 15% increase in game releases from 2024 to 2025, and the 2026 estimate points to another 12% rise.
For players, more releases mean more games to choose from. But it also makes finding good games harder. Developers face the same problem, as around 65 new titles compete for attention every day.
Source: Steam
