Top 8 Most Popular Multiplayer Games on Steam, 2024

As 2025 is only a few days away, the end-of-year data compilation is in full swing. Steam, which has a treasure trove of data, recently put out its list of the “Best of 2024”. Among the categories that Steam defines are top sellers, new releases, and most played, among others.

Given that it’s the end of the year, we’ve decided to delve into the Most Played category to see what’s happening in the multiplayer scene. Multiplayer games dominate most of the top spots, as expected. Steam has divided the Most Played category into blocks with over 450,000, 200,000, 100,000, and 50,000 peak players, each filled with multiplayer games. We have all the games we need for our list right in the top section.

One thing to note is that many of the games lower down in the list, with fewer peak players, have their standalone launchers, many predating their Steam releases. Hence the lower player counts on Steam may not accurately reflect the game’s total player count. However, a count of 50,000 players isn’t too shabby.

Dota 2

The first game in Steam’s >450k peak player category is Dota 2. Eleven years after its launch, Valve’s own MOBA still enjoys a prime spot in heavily played games, thanks to its free-to-play model and being one of Valve’s games that appear in all related searches.

Apex Legends

With over 450K players, the first shooter game on the list is Apex Legends, another free-to-play game, has been a hit since its 2019 release. It’s EA’s latest entry in the Titanfall IP in the form of a battle royale.

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2 had some issues last year, particularly with a glitch in its code, making players’ IP addresses accessible and even allowing modification of the computer code. Valve fixed it promptly, and the first-person shooter enjoys a robust player base, with >450K players.

Marvel Rivals

Marvel Rivals has been out for three weeks and has already become one of the most talked-about and played games. The hero shooter keeps impressing players with increasing ways to combine their heroes’ powers.

Helldivers II

Another addition to the list is Helldivers II, another shooter. It made it to the top group of games on Steam’s most played page and was even nominated for several The Game Awards categories, including Best Community Support.

Path Of Exile II

Path Of Exile II has been eagerly awaited by action RPG fans. Although not officially launched, it has a paid early access version. Yet, it has made it to the over 450k player category on Grinding Gear Games’ latest entry.

PUBG: Battlegrounds

PUBG was one of the original battle royale games, but it didn’t always have a free-to-play option. With the introduction of Battlegrounds, despite mixed reviews on Steam, it continues to pull in players, making it one of Steam’s most played games.

Palworld

What happens when you mix Pokemon and firearms? You get Palworld, one of Steam’s popular games. Despite a brush with Nintendo, the developers adjusted their approach, stayed on course and managed to retain their players without loss.