Most Popular Games on Steam (2012-2019)

Timeline of the most popular games on Steam ranked by daily average concurrent players since 2012 to 2019.

 Most Popular Games on Steam (2012-2019) — A Dynamic Journey Through PC Gaming

This timeline showcases the evolution of the most played and most searched games on Steam from 2012 to 2019. Steam, the world’s leading PC gaming platform, has been home to countless hits that defined the gaming landscape and community over this period.

🎮 Key Highlights:

2012-2013: Early years featured games like Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO), which revitalized the classic franchise and built a massive esports scene. Indie hits like Don't Starve and Torchlight II also captured gamers’ hearts.

2014-2015: Dota 2 emerged as a titan in the MOBA genre, fueled by its massive international tournaments with multi-million dollar prize pools. Team Fortress 2 maintained steady popularity with its quirky multiplayer gameplay.

2016: PLAYERUNKNOWN'S BATTLEGROUNDS (PUBG) skyrocketed the battle royale genre on Steam, introducing tens of millions to large-scale last-man-standing gameplay. Meanwhile, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt continued to draw players with its rich story and vast open world.

2017-2018: PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds dominated until Rainbow Six Siege and Rocket League gained traction with their competitive multiplayer modes. Monster Hunter: World brought Capcom’s franchise to a global PC audience with critical acclaim.

2019: Apex Legends entered the scene as a free-to-play battle royale sensation, challenging PUBG’s dominance. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice wowed fans with its intense combat and won Game of the Year awards, while Dota 2 and CS:GO maintained steady player bases.

💡 Fun Facts & Trivia:

CS:GO reached over 1 million concurrent players in 2016, a record for Steam at the time.

Dota 2's The International tournament prize pool grew to over $34 million in 2019, the largest in esports history.

PUBG helped popularize battle royale games globally, inspiring many spin-offs and new titles in the genre.

Steam’s seasonal sales and community-driven mod support boosted the longevity and popularity of many games on the platform.

🌍 Cultural Impact:

These titles not only entertained millions but also shaped the esports industry, social gaming culture, and even game development trends. Steam’s community features like workshops, mods, and social hubs helped foster passionate fanbases.

🔑 Keywords: most popular Steam games, top Steam games 2012-2019, Steam player trends, PC gaming hits, Steam multiplayer games, esports on Steam.

Source: Data Is Beautiful