Steam, the leading digital distribution platform for PC gaming, has once again shattered its concurrent user record, reaching an unprecedented peak of over 40 million players. This milestone was achieved over a weekend that coincided with the launch of Monster Hunter Wilds on February 28, with Steam logging a staggering 40,270,997 simultaneous users, surpassing its previous record of 39.9 million set in February 2025.
According to SteamDB, this record-breaking trend has been consistent since May 2024, with the platform's concurrent peak climbing from 35.5 million to 40.2 million in just over six months. While this figure includes idle players—those who have Steam open but aren't actively using it—the number of users engaged in gameplay has also reached a new high, rising from 12.5 million to 12.8 million.
Throughout 2024, Steam experienced significant surges in player peaks, breaking its record twice in March and again in July. The latest peak is largely attributed to the release of Monster Hunter Wilds, which saw a 24-hour peak of 1.38 million concurrent users. Other popular titles like Counter-Strike 2, PUBG, Dota 2, and Marvel Rivals also contributed to the surge, with 24-hour peaks of 1.7 million, 819,541, 657,780, and 268,283 users, respectively.
Despite its popularity, Monster Hunter Wilds has received a 'mixed' user review rating on Steam, prompting Capcom to release official guidance addressing PC performance issues. Additionally, Capcom has announced early details about Monster Hunter Wilds Title Update 1, which will introduce an endgame social hub for players.
For those embarking on their Monster Hunter Wilds journey, it's helpful to explore what the game doesn't explicitly explain, along with a comprehensive guide to all 14 weapon types. Our in-progress Monster Hunter Wilds walkthrough, multiplayer guide, and instructions on how to transfer your beta character can enhance your gaming experience. IGN's review of Monster Hunter Wilds awarded it an 8/10, praising the game for refining the series' mechanics and offering enjoyable combat, though noting a lack of real challenge.
