Steam surpasses 40 million concurrent players for the first time.
Valve
Since its inception, Steam has been a primary platform for PC gamers, recently achieving a record high of over 40 million concurrent users. While over 12 million of those are actively gaming at the moment, the figure still marks a remarkable increase since Steam's launch. As of this writing, Steam reached its peak within the last two hours with an impressive 40,270,997 users. Most of these users are either browsing the storefront or engaging in activities beyond gaming, yet millions are currently playing some of Steam's most popular games.
For instance, Counter-Strike 2 boasts nearly 1.3 million active players, while over 1 million are currently immersed in Monster Hunter Wilds. These two titles are the clear frontrunners, with Dota 2 following in popularity, attracting a bit more than 600,000 players.
With several games consistently surpassing one million players daily, it’s evident why Steam continues to flourish. Even Amazon has recognized Steam's dominance, with a former Prime Gaming executive noting that the retail giant's extensive reach still couldn't compete with Steam.
Currently, the Steam Next Fest is in full motion (ending tomorrow, so it's the last chance to explore), offering numerous demos for gamers to try at no cost, a great opportunity to expand one's gaming experience with little risk.
And if demos aren’t to your liking, Steam is famous for its extensive sales—by knowing the ins and outs, you can expand your collection significantly without overspending. Coupled with the Steam Deck's strong presence in the handheld PC market, Valve has established a robust platform that shows no signs of decline.
Patrick Hearn writes about smart home technology, including Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, smart light bulbs, and more.
This free plugin enhances games on your Steam Deck
A modder known as SnooOranges3876 has introduced a free plugin for Steam Deck games, enabling players to adjust graphics settings on the fly, enhancing both appearance and performance. This plugin, called LetMeReShade, allows players to modify illumination, contrast, colors, and other parameters instantly. It can be especially valuable for older titles as well.
The plugin is accessible via GitHub, streamlining the often-complex installation processes associated with ReShade mods, allowing players to easily apply these modifications to their games. In a demonstration video, SnooOranges3876 is shown altering shaders in games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Heavy Rain, with other titles such as Alan Wake and Monster Sanctuary also in the mix.
This Steam tip has saved me a lot on PC games
I have an extensive Steam library, and like many PC gamers, I constantly seek to enhance it. Will I actually play all the games I acquire? Perhaps not. However, I find myself entrenched in a cycle of picking up new games for just a few dollars, and Steam's offerings are feeding my obsession more than ever.
How, you ask? Through Steam bundles. Though not new, there has been a notable increase in their availability over the past few months. These bundles typically feature similar indie titles, offering around 10% off when purchasing two or three games together. However, I have been utilizing Steam bundles frequently for reasons beyond just minor discounts.
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Steam surpasses 40 million concurrent players for the first time.
Steam has shattered its previous record for active users, surpassing 40 million, and shows no indications of slowing down.