Steam Tops 40 Million Concurrent Players For First Time As We All Jump On to Play Monster Hunter Wilds

Steam, the leading digital game distribution platform for PC gamers, has achieved a new milestone, surpassing 40 million concurrent users for the first time. This record-breaking number, reaching 40,270,997 simultaneous players, was achieved over the weekend, coinciding with the launch of Monster Hunter Wilds on Friday, February 28th. This surpasses the previous record of 39.9 million set in February 2025.

SteamDB data reveals a consistent upward trend in concurrent users since May 2024, with monthly increases culminating in this latest peak. The growth from 35.5 million to 40.2 million in just over six months highlights the platform's expanding popularity. While this figure includes idle users, the number of actively engaged players also reached a new high, climbing from 12.5 million to 12.8 million.

Throughout 2024, Steam experienced significant player growth, breaking its concurrent user record multiple times in March and July. The recent surge is largely attributed to the release of Monster Hunter Wilds, which saw a 24-hour peak of 1.38 million concurrent players. Other popular titles also contributed to the overall increase, with Counter-Strike 2 reaching 1.7 million, PUBG at 819,541, Dota 2 at 657,780, and Marvel Rivals at 268,283 concurrent players within a 24-hour period.

Despite Monster Hunter Wilds' launch, its Steam reviews are currently "mixed," prompting Capcom to release performance optimization guidance for PC users. Capcom has also announced details for Title Update 1, introducing an endgame social hub.

To enhance your Monster Hunter Wilds experience, explore our resources: uncover hidden tips and tricks, master all 14 weapon types, follow our detailed walkthrough, learn how to play multiplayer, and discover how to transfer your beta character.

IGN awarded Monster Hunter Wilds an 8/10 rating, praising its improvements while noting a lack of significant challenge.