Steam, the premier digital distribution platform for PC gamers, has shattered its own concurrent user record, reaching an unprecedented 40 million players simultaneously. This milestone was achieved over the weekend, coinciding with the much-anticipated launch of Monster Hunter Wilds on February 28, 2025. Steam's new peak of 40,270,997 players eclipsed the previous record of 39.9 million set in February 2025.
According to SteamDB, Steam has been consistently breaking its concurrent user record almost every month since May 2024. The platform's concurrent peak has impressively risen from 35.5 million to 40.2 million in just over six months. This surge includes both active and idle players, with the number of users actively engaged in games also reaching a new high, increasing from 12.5 million to 12.8 million.
Steam experienced significant player peaks throughout 2024, setting new records in March and July. The latest peak can be largely attributed to the release of Monster Hunter Wilds, which saw a 24-hour peak of 1.38 million players. Other popular titles like Counter-Strike 2, PUBG, Dota 2, and Marvel Rivals also contributed to the platform's success, with impressive 24-hour peaks of 1.7 million, 819,541, 657,780, and 268,283 players, 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 teased early details of Monster Hunter Wilds Title Update 1, which will introduce an endgame social hub to enhance player interaction.
For those embarking on their Monster Hunter Wilds journey, there are several resources available to enhance your experience. Check out guides on what the game doesn't explicitly tell you, a comprehensive overview of all 14 weapon types, and an ongoing walkthrough. If you're interested in multiplayer, there's a detailed guide on playing with friends, and for those who participated in the open betas, instructions on transferring your beta character are available.
IGN's review of Monster Hunter Wilds awarded it an 8/10, noting that the game "continues to smooth off the rougher corners of the series in smart ways, making for some extremely fun fights but also lacking any real challenge."
