Top 10 Steam Games of 2024 by Peak Concurrent Players

In gaming, the number of concurrent players (CCU) on Steam often serves as a vital metric for measuring a game’s success, popularity, and staying power. CCU refers to the highest number of players actively playing a game at the same time, and it often reflects the buzz around a game’s launch, updates, or special events. While some titles experience explosive peaks on their release days, others gradually build momentum through word-of-mouth and positive reviews. The year 2024 was no exception, with numerous games achieving remarkable milestones in terms of CCU.

1. Black Myth: Wukong

• Release Date: August 20, 2024
• Developer: Game Science
• Publisher: Game Science
• Steam Reviews: 95% Overwhelmingly Positive
• Metacritic Score: 81

Black Myth: Wukong, an action RPG inspired by the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West, became the most talked-about release of 2024. Known for its breathtaking visuals, dynamic combat system, and compelling narrative, the game set a CCU record of 2,415,714 players on its third day. Its combination of cultural richness and polished gameplay earned it both critical acclaim and commercial success.

2. Palworld

• Release Date: January 19, 2024
• Developer: Pocketpair
• Publisher: Pocketpair
• Steam Reviews: 93% Very Positive

Palworld surprised the gaming world with its unique blend of monster collecting, survival mechanics, and base building. In the first week, it reached an impressive peak of 2,101,867 CCU. Players praised its quirky premise and engaging gameplay loop, though some criticized balancing issues.

3. Banana

• Release Date: June 2024
• Developer: Sky, AestheticSpartan, O’Brian
• Publisher: Sky
• Steam Reviews: 81% Mostly Positive

This indie title got overnight success driven largely by its simple, idle clicker mechanics and the potential for players to earn real-world money by selling in-game skins. Even though it has a peak of 917,272 CCU, the game’s success is marred by the widespread use of bots, which exploit the game’s low resource demands to farm rare skins.

4. Path of Exile 2

• Release Date: December 6, 2024 (Early Access)
• Developer: Grinding Gear Games
• Publisher: Grinding Gear Games
• Steam Reviews: 80% Very Positive
• Metacritic Score: 83

The highly anticipated sequel to Path of Exile did not disappoint. Offering improved graphics, refined mechanics, and an expanded world, the game attracted a peak CCU of 578,569 players shortly after its Early Access release.

5. Marvel Rivals

• Release Date: December 6, 2024
• Developer: NetEase Games
• Publisher: NetEase Games
• Steam Reviews: 79% Positive
• Metacritic Score: 72

Bringing iconic Marvel superheroes into an online competitive setting, Marvel Rivals delivered fast-paced multiplayer action and strategic gameplay. It reached a peak of 480,990 CCU, becoming a favorite among fans of team-based games.

6. HELLDIVERS 2

• Release Date: February 8, 2024
• Developer: Arrowhead Game Studios
• Publisher: PlayStation PC LLC
• Steam Reviews: 74% Very Positive
• Metacritic Score: 82

This cooperative shooter maintained the chaotic fun of its predecessor while introducing new gameplay elements. With a peak of 458,709 CCU, HELLDIVERS 2 solidified its position as one of the year’s standout co-op experiences.

7. THRONE AND LIBERTY

• Release Date: 2024
• Developer: NCSOFT
• Publisher: Amazon Games
• Steam Reviews: 68% Mixed
• Metacritic Score: 72

An ambitious MMORPG, THRONE AND LIBERTY attracted 336,300 concurrent players at its peak. While praised for its vast world and intricate systems, it received mixed reviews due to performance issues and server instability.

8. Last Epoch

• Release Date: February 2024 (Early Access)
• Developer: Eleventh Hour Games
• Publisher: Eleventh Hour Games
• Steam Reviews: 76% Very Positive
• Metacritic Score: 80

Combining deep customization options and engaging endgame content, Last Epoch reached a CCU peak of 264,708 players. Fans of action RPGs appreciated its complexity and replayability.

9. Once Human

• Release Date: July 9, 2024
• Developer: Starry Studio
• Publisher: NetEase Games
• Steam Reviews: 72% Mostly Positive
• Metacritic Score: 71

This survival game set in a post-apocalyptic world offered unique gameplay elements and stunning visuals. With a CCU peak of 231,668 players, Once Human carved out a solid player base.

10. Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2

• Release Date: September 9, 2024
• Developer: Saber Interactive
• Publisher: Focus Entertainment
• Steam Reviews: 81% Positive
• Metacritic Score: 82

The sequel to the beloved Space Marine delivered intense third-person combat and impressive set pieces. Its CCU peaked at 225,690 players, cementing its status as a fan favorite.

Complete List of Top 10 Steam Games of 2024 by Peak Concurrent Players:

1. Black Myth: Wukong – 2,415,714 players
2. Palworld – 2,101,867 players
3. Banana – 917,272 players
4. Path of Exile 2 – 578,569 players
5. Marvel Rivals – 480,990 players
6. HELLDIVERS 2 – 458,709 players
7. THRONE AND LIBERTY – 336,300 players
8. Last Epoch – 264,708 players
9. Once Human – 231,668 players
10. Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 – 225,690 players
11. Dragon’s Dogma 2 — 228,500 CCU (March 2024)

Note: Here, I added Dragon’s Dogma 2 to this list because Banana was largely embroiled in controversy, as Polygon claimed that bots were responsible for its high viewership.

The gaming landscape in 2024 demonstrated a mix of highly polished AAA titles and innovative indie games. As we enter 2025, anticipation builds for the next wave of record-breaking hits.

Source: SteamDB, Valve, Metacritic