As we approach the close of 2024, Steam has unveiled its eagerly awaited “Best of Steam”list, celebrating the year’s standout games across the platform. This year’s annual roundup not only highlights the most commercially successful titles but also showcases a rich variety of genres, including hidden gems that have caught the attention of gaming enthusiasts.
In a record-breaking year, Steam launched an astounding 18,825 new games, eclipsing the previous year’s total of 14,311. According to SteamDB, which meticulously tracks Steam’s statistics, a significant portion—14,888 titles—are classified as limited games, indicating they possess restricted customization options due to unmet criteria, such as insufficient sales or engagement. In contrast, 3,937 titles successfully achieved full release status, meeting the established benchmarks.
The ongoing debate surrounding the quality of limited games remains prominent, yet 2024 has proven to be a landmark year for Steam’s overall sales figures. Achieving its highest sales totals since 2019, the platform demonstrates resilience and growth, even amid the challenges posed by the global pandemic in 2020. While critics may argue that many limited-release titles lack depth and quality, others view the high volume of releases as an indication of Steam’s commitment to accessibility for creators and gamers alike.
Steam Highlights the Most Popular Releases of 2024
This year, Steam has curated a list of the highest-rated games for 2024, spotlighting titles that have garnered acclaim from players and critics alike. Below are the leading bestsellers categorized by their gross revenue in 2024:
- Top 3 Platinum Bestsellers: Destiny 2, Elden Ring, Dota 2
- Top 3 Gold Bestsellers: Enshrouded, The First Descendant: Season 2 Void Chaser, Throne and Liberty
- Top 3 Silver Bestsellers: Gray Zone Warfare, Stardew Valley, Rainbow Six Siege
- Top 3 Bronze Bestsellers: Ready or Not, Satisfactory 1.0, Metaphor: ReFantazio
Furthermore, Steam identified the most-played games of the year, each surpassing 50,000 peak concurrent players at various points throughout 2024. Notable entries include Helldivers 2: Omens Of Tyranny, Black Myth: Wukong, and PUBG: Battlegrounds, all of which boasted over 450,000 peak players. Other popular titles like Baldur’s Gate 3, Path of Exile, and Space Marine saw peak player counts exceeding 200,000, while Delta Force, Satisfactory 1.0, and Monster Hunter World crossed the 100,000 mark.
It is remarkable to witness the success of games that rose to prominence despite launching late in the year. Titles like Marvel Rivals and Path of Exile 2, which were released on December 6, have already secured top rankings in the Platinum and Gold tiers for New Releases, respectively, within just a month. The strong showing of turn-based RPGs is also evident, with games like Metaphor: ReFantazio, Dragon Quest 3, and Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth joining the well-deserved ranks alongside the ever-popular Baldur’s Gate 3.
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