10 Games With The Highest Concurrent Peaks In 2024, Ranked

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As someone who’s been gaming since the days of Pong and Atari, I must say that 2024 has been one heck of a year for video games! The sheer variety and quality on offer this year have made it difficult to pick favorites. But if I were to choose just one game that truly stood out, it would be Black Myth: Wukong.

2024 is shaping up to be a fantastic year for gaming, with many exciting titles on the horizon such as “Black Myth: Wukong”, “Helldivers 2”, “Marvel Rivals” and the sequel to “Path of Exile”.

Even though these fresh games are fantastic, there are many classic titles from not so long ago that remain widely played even today. These range from games like Baldur’s Gate 3, Counter-Strike 2, Elden Ring, and numerous others that continue to be staples in our gaming collection.

In 2024, we can’t predict with absolute certainty which games will be the most popular, but by analyzing data from SteamDB, we can compile a list of the top ten games of the year based on the number of players playing simultaneously at any given time. Some of the games you might have heard about will likely appear on this list, along with a few unexpected hits.

Despite coming very close, the Monster Hunter Wilds Beta didn’t quite reach the final stage, with its peak player count reaching approximately 450,000. Now, let’s discover which test managed to secure a spot instead.

10. Helldivers 2

2024 peak players: 458,709

One of the year’s best co-op shooters is also one of 2024’s most popular games.

Due to a recent content update, the player base for Helldivers 2 has seen a significant boost, indicating that worries about its longevity are no longer valid.

Helldivers 2 remains an excellent choice for a four-player co-op adventure, whether you’re seeking a fun shooting experience with companions or appreciating its self-directed storyline. There’s always room for more heroes defending democracy!

9. Marvel Rivals

2024 peak players: 480,990

Marvel Rivals is the team-based shooter we deserve.

Although others might label the game as merely an “Overwatch” clone, it actually blends user-friendly mechanics, an unexpectedly well-balanced cast of heroes, and a strategy that becomes increasingly complex as you delve deeper into it.

Each character type – Tank, Healer, Damage Dealer – is fun to handle, and the Team-Up skills introduce an additional layer of strategic depth when selecting your characters.

Moreover, there’s nothing quite like indulging in your superhero dreams. Who wouldn’t enjoy battling Magneto dressed as Venom?

8. Path of Exile 2

2024 peak players: 578,569

In a simpler and more conversational style: “Path of Exile 2” offers a deeply engaging and hard-to-resist Action Role-Playing Game (ARPG) adventure suitable for both seasoned players and beginners.

Independent of whether you’re frustrated with the progress of Diablo 4, a dedicated follower of Path of Exile, or simply curious about the buzz, there’s something for everyone to appreciate here.

In its pre-release stage as Early Access, “Path of Exile 2” significantly outshines its original version, offering only potential for further enhancements. It sets a high standard within the Action Role-Playing Game (ARPG) category and is expected to keep growing better in the future.

7. Elden Ring

2024 peak players: 781,261

As a dedicated gamer, I can tell you from experience, there’s nothing quite like diving back into a favorite game after its highly-anticipated expansion pack drops. The surge of players that inevitably follows is always a testament to the game’s enduring popularity and the quality of the DLC itself.

That’s precisely what happened when the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC for Elden Ring was released.

Despite some debate over whether it deserves a spot among the Game of the Year nominees, the Elden Ring DLC stands out as one of this year’s top game releases without a doubt.

This enhancement significantly boosts an outstanding game, providing approximately 50 more hours of captivating content to an already extensive playtime.

6. PUBG: Battlegrounds

2024 peak players: 808,258

Winner winner, chicken dinner.

One of the initial Battle Royale games, PUBG: Battlegrounds, continues to maintain its relevance remarkably in today’s gaming landscape.

By concentrating more on its competitive side and regularly updating throughout the year, PUBG is managing to stay current and engaging for gamers at present.

Despite not regaining its former glory at the pinnacle, PUBG has earned a commendable niche in today’s gaming world, which continues to thrive without any signs of decline.

5. Banana

2024 peak players: 917,272

Occasionally, a game’s widespread appeal can be hard to comprehend. Take the case of Banana, a free-to-play clicker game. In this game, you simply click on a banana, which then allows you to expand your inventory of bananas over time.

It seems to be a mystery to me, but there’s no denying it has a dedicated fanbase. At the moment of this writing, it boasted over 100,000 simultaneous players, surpassing the player count for games like Call of Duty, Baldur’s Gate, and Helldivers 2.

But hey, it’s been popular this year, and people love the game, so more power to them.

4. Dota 2

2024 peak players: 951,239

From one free game to another, though, Dota 2 offers a little more substance than Banana.

Even after all these years, Dota 2 remains immensely popular in 2024.

Absolutely, its intense competitiveness can make it hard to get into, but nothing compares to the rush of adrenaline that comes with playing Dota 2. The captivating blend of skill, strategy, and cooperation creates some of the most exhilarating gaming moments I’ve ever encountered.

Occasionally, my urge to play Dota 2 returns, and I’m always happy I do – that is, until I end up with a team of poor performers.

3. Counter-Strike 2

2024 peak players: 1,740,261

Some say that Dota 2 is Valve’s juggernaut, but the reality is that the title belongs to Counter-Strike 2.

As a diehard fan, I can confidently say that the craze for Counter-Strike 2, launched in 2023, shows no signs of slowing down. Its popularity is stronger than ever!

The blend of an active, vibrant competitive environment with the enduring appeal of a cooperative, user-friendly team game, much loved for over two decades, positions it as one of the highly anticipated games in 2024.

Playing a round of Counter-Strike 2 feels just as exhilarating as jumping into Dota 2. No matter if I’m teaming up with buddies, engaging with newcomers, or having fun with Gun Game, the thrill is consistently unmatched!

2. Palworld

2024 peak players: 2,101,867

One of the biggest gaming stories of the year, Palworld is the game that keeps going.

Drawing significant influence from the popular Pokémon series, Palworld introduces the idea to contemporary players, incorporating aspects from the open-world survival and crafting genre.

With every update, Palworld adds more content, depth, and things to see and do.

Since its initial modest start, it has made significant progress and appears to be continuing unabated, unless legal obstacles intervene.

1. Black Myth: Wukong

2024 peak players: 2,415,714

One of the year’s best games is also one of the most popular games of 2024.

Few games in the Soulslike genre have seen the sustained success of Black Myth: Wukong.

Although its straightforward approach might be off-putting to some players, the game makes up for this with its tough challenges, engaging gameplay, and thrilling boss fights.

As a devoted gaming enthusiast, I must admit, not many games have managed to captivate me as much as Black Myth: Wukong has this year. The sheer spectacle it offers is truly remarkable.

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2024-12-27 21:39