Steam, the leading digital game distributor for PC gamers, has shattered its concurrent user record once more, surpassing 40 million players simultaneously online. This milestone was achieved over the weekend, coinciding with the launch of Monster Hunter Wilds on February 28, 2025. The platform saw an unprecedented 40,270,997 players online at the same time, eclipsing the previous record of 39.9 million set in February 2025.
SteamDB data reveals that Steam has been breaking its concurrent user record nearly every month since May 2024. The peak number of concurrent users has surged from 35.5 million to 40.2 million within just over six months. While this figure includes idle players—those with Steam open but not actively playing—the number of users engaged in games has also set a new record, increasing from 12.5 million to 12.8 million.
Throughout 2024, Steam experienced surges in player peaks, notably breaking records in March and July. The latest peak is attributed to the release of Monster Hunter Wilds, which alone achieved a 24-hour peak of 1.38 million players. Other games also contributed significantly, with Counter-Strike 2 reaching 1.7 million players, and PUBG, Dota 2, and Marvel Rivals recording 24-hour peaks of 819,541, 657,780, and 268,283 players, respectively.
Despite its popularity, Monster Hunter Wilds has garnered a 'mixed' user review rating on Steam. In response, Capcom has released official guidance addressing PC performance issues and announced details for the upcoming Title Update 1, which will introduce an endgame social hub.
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 tell you, a comprehensive breakdown of all 14 weapon types, an ongoing walkthrough, and a multiplayer guide to play with friends. If you participated in the open betas, there's also information on how to transfer your beta character to the full game.
IGN's review of Monster Hunter Wilds awarded it an 8/10, praising the game for refining the series' mechanics and delivering enjoyable combat, though noting a lack of significant challenge.
