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

Steam, the leading digital game distributor for PC gamers, has shattered its concurrent user record, surpassing 40 million players for the first time. This milestone was achieved over the weekend, coinciding with the launch of Monster Hunter Wilds on Friday, February 28th. Steam registered a staggering 40,270,997 simultaneous players, eclipsing the previous record of 39.9 million set in February 2025.

According to SteamDB, Steam's concurrent user count—a key indicator of the platform's success—has been steadily climbing, breaking records almost monthly since May 2024. This impressive growth reflects a surge from 35.5 million users to over 40.2 million in just over six months. The number of actively engaged players also reached a new high, jumping from 12.5 million to 12.8 million.

Steam witnessed significant player peaks throughout 2024, 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 concurrent player peak of 1.38 million. Other popular titles also contributed to the overall surge, with Counter-Strike 2 reaching 1.7 million concurrent players, PUBG at 819,541, Dota 2 at 657,780, and Marvel Rivals at 268,283.

Despite Monster Hunter Wilds' impressive player numbers, it currently holds a "Mixed" user review rating on Steam, prompting Capcom to release official guidance on PC performance issues. Capcom has also announced details for Monster Hunter Wilds Title Update 1, which will introduce an endgame social hub.

To enhance your Monster Hunter Wilds experience, explore our resources: uncover hidden tips in "What Monster Hunter Wilds Doesn't Tell You," master all 14 weapon types with our comprehensive guide, follow our detailed walkthrough, learn how to play multiplayer with friends, and discover how to transfer your beta character.

IGN's review of Monster Hunter Wilds awarded it an 8/10, stating: "Monster Hunter Wilds continues to refine the series' rough edges, resulting in incredibly fun battles, albeit lacking a significant challenge."