Steam, the PC gaming platform, has repeatedly proven that it always has momentum. Over the weekend, a series of high-profile game launches propelled Steam to its highest-ever concurrent user count, capping off a year filled with record-breaking milestones.
According to Sweclockers, Steam reached 39,205,447 concurrent users on Sunday, December 8, at 2 PM UTC. Of those, 12,090,313 were actively playing games, while the rest were engaging with the platform by browsing the store, downloading content, or idling in the app. As reported by SteamDB, this figure solidifies Steam’s dominance in the gaming space.
The remarkable user surge is partly attributed to the dual launch of Marvel Rivals and Path of Exile 2. These highly anticipated titles, along with other significant releases like Dragon Age: The Veilguard, Black Myth: Wukong, and Baldur’s Gate 3, contributed significantly to the player count.
Marvel Rivals, a free-to-play hero shooter inspired by the Overwatch formula, attracted widespread attention due to its recognizable Marvel branding and engaging roster of characters. At its record-breaking peak, the game had 368,021 concurrent players, demonstrating the power of its combination of accessibility and appeal.
Meanwhile, Path of Exile 2 achieved an even more impressive launch despite being a paid early-access title. The action RPG amassed 470,715 players during the record-setting moment. Its popularity overwhelmed servers throughout the weekend, suggesting that the numbers could have been even higher without the technical hiccups.
This latest milestone highlights Steam’s year-long trend of breaking records. In January, it surpassed its previous high of 33.5 million concurrent users with 33.6 million. By August, the platform had shattered that mark again, reaching over 37 million users, thanks in part to the explosive debut of Black Myth: Wukong, which alone boasted 2.4 million concurrent players.
This 39 million record is particularly noteworthy because the combined player base for Marvel Rivals and Path of Exile 2 accounts for just under a million users. This indicates broader growth across the platform, with multiple evergreen titles also seeing substantial player activity. Games like Counter-Strike 2, PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, Dota 2, and Grand Theft Auto V maintained high numbers, showcasing a robust and diverse ecosystem of gamers.
As the year winds down, more players turn to video games to unwind, particularly during colder, darker months in regions like the UK. Steam’s record-breaking weekend is a testament to the platform’s enduring appeal and the strength of the PC gaming community. With no signs of slowing down, Steam’s trajectory only underscores its position as a cornerstone of the gaming world.