SteamDB, the third-party Steam data compiler, added a new feature over July 26 weekend, which introduces a new way to look at game data across the popular PC gaming platform. This feature shows the games that are “most played on Steam by daily active users.”

Unlike the “Concurrent Steam Users” chart, which ranks games by how many people are playing at the same time, the new Daily Active Users leaderboard on SteamDB is based on how many unique players launch each game over a 24-hour period. This paints a completely different picture of the most popular games on Steam.

If we overlook the multiplayer titles, what remains is a list of varied games that are currently being played the most often every day. Of course, this list will change as more games come and go, but it provides an interesting cross-section of which single-player Steam users are actually playing on a day-to-day basis.

10

Grand Theft Auto 5 Enhanced Remains A Classic

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Since Steamdb has just started tracking this metric, it’s hard to say if GTA5 saw an uptick in daily players after the GTA6 trailer was released earlier this year. Regardless of the reason, Grand Theft Auto 5 Enhanced remains a popular everyday title for fans.

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The Enhanced edition was released in March of this year and introduced upgraded visuals, faster loading, surround-sound audio, and some new content.

It also combines both GTA5 and GTA Online, which may also account for the large daily player count. Still, since GTA5 includes a single-player experience, it makes this list.

9

Ready or Not Thrives In The Face Of Controversy

A Review Bombing Campaign Hasn’t Deterred It

Ready or Not

Systems

Released

December 13, 2023

ESRB

m

Developer(s)

Void Interactive

Publisher(s)

Void Interactive

Ready or Not is a tactical FPS that places players into intense situations as a SWAT police officer. The fact that it shows up in the most-played Steam games by daily active users comes as a complete surprise.

The game is experiencing an intense review bombing at the time of this writing, causing its rating to shift from the respectable “Mostly Positive” to “Mostly Negative” based on recent reviews. Players are angry with the game’s devs, VOID Interactive, for censoring a game known for being gritty and uncomfortable.

It seems, though, that all the negativity surrounding the game isn’t stopping players from playing it. This might show why review bombing isn’t always an effective way to bring about change, if the reviews don’t actually change the number of people playing the game.

8

Euro Truck Simulator 2 Is A Surprising Hit

Simulators Remain A Popular Pastime For Players

Euro Truck Simulator 2

Systems

Released

October 18, 2012

ESRB

t

Developer(s)

SCS Software

Publisher(s)

SCS Software

Engine

Prism3D

Simulator games have really taken off in recent years, with everything from power-washing to farming getting the realistic sim treatment. Euro Truck Simulator 2 is one of those games that seems like it would be very niche, but it turns out to be one of the most popular games on the platform at the moment.

The game lets players assume the role of a trucker charged with delivering cargo all over Europe. Players can drive around over 60 beautiful European cities, grow their business, and even chat with other players in a multiplayer mode.

7

Geometry Dash Brings The Mobile Hit To PC

Geometry Dash

Systems

Released

August, 2013

ESRB

e

Developer(s)

Robert Topala

Publisher(s)

RobTop Games

Engine

Cocos2d

For a game released in 2013 as a one-touch mobile platformer, Geometry Dash is doing remarkably well on Steam in 2025. The game is simple but brutally challenging, a combination that makes it insanely addictive.

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Like many of the other single-player games on this list, the success of Geometry Dash over a decade after its release can also be attributed to its thriving community. The base game has 18 levels, but it’s the player-created levels that keep fans coming back again and again.​​​

6

Cyberpunk 2077 Overcame Its Rough Start

Some Players Never Left Night City

Cyberpunk 2077

Systems

8/10

Released

December 10, 2020

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol

Despite having internet darling Keanu Reaves as one of the game’s main characters, Cyberpunk 2077 had a rough start.

The game was plagued with bugs and crashes on launch, leading to some brutal reviews. Many fixes later, CD Projekt Red has managed to completely win its fans back over.

The five-year-old game continues to be played daily by fans, in part thanks to modders keeping things fresh. The recent Update 2.3 undoubtedly brought fans back into the game, too.

5

Baldur’s Gate 3 Has Hours Of Content

Endless Ways To Play Make This Many Fans’ Favorite Game

Baldur’s Gate 3

Systems

Released

August 3, 2023

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Violence

Developer(s)

Larian Studios

Publisher(s)

Larian Studios

Baldur’s Gate 3 is the closest you can get to playing a Dungeons & Dragons campaign in a video game. The story-driven game has hundreds of hours of content thanks to the near-infinite ways that players can interact with the world and its characters.

As such, Baldur’s Gate 3 frequently appears in “most-played” lists, including Steam’s own “Steam Deck Top Played” list, where it’s currently sitting in third place for the past week—following Balatro in second place and Stardew Valley in first.

According to a review by Steam user Zelisca, who has put over 1,200 hours into the title:

“This game has fundamentally changed (and improved) my life. It has changed everything that I have thought a video game could be. This game has been a boon to my marriage, a salve to my mental health, and a light in the dark.“

With such glowing praise, it’s no wonder players keep coming back to Baldur’s Gate 3.

4

Terraria Has Endless Creative Opportunities

It’s Easy To Sink Hours Into Creating Masterpieces

Terraria

Systems

Released

May 16, 2011

ESRB

T for Teen: Blood and Gore, Cartoon Violence, Mild Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol

Developer(s)

Re-Logic

Publisher(s)

505 Games

There’s something incredibly addictive about the pixelated side-scrolling sandbox building elements of Terraria. The game allows players to get creative and build some incredible structures through fairly simple mechanics, making it a game that fans play frequently.

I myself have put in at least 400 hours across four different gaming platforms—and will likely return again in the future.

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Even developer Re-Logic seems to be having trouble putting the game to rest. The last major update to the 14-year-old title was supposed to be the 2020 “Journey’s End,” but there have been five more updates since then—each one allegedly being the “final” update.

3

EA Sports FC 25 Is The Most Popular Sports Game

The Latest Version Of EA’s Virtual Soccer

EA Sports FC 25

Systems

Released

September 27, 2024

ESRB

Everyone // Alcohol And Tobacco Reference, Users Interact, In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items)

Developer(s)

EA Canada, EA Romania

EA’s yearly sports games often receive criticism for being cash grabs that don’t add enough to warrant full price. In spite of EA Sports FC 25’s mixed reviews on Steam, though, this 2024 soccer simulator is among the most-played in terms of daily players.

Like some of the other games in this list, this might be partially thanks to the game’s multiplayer element. Even though the game has a robust single-player aspect, the multiplayer might be what’s keeping fans returning every day.

2

Stardew Valley Remains An All-Time Classic

Stardew Valley

Systems

Released

February 26, 2016

ESRB

E for Everyone (Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood, Mild Language, Simulated Gambling, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco)

Developer(s)

ConcernedApe

Publisher(s)

ConcernedApe

Stardew Valley was a passion project by solo developer ConcernedApe that was released in 2016. What was once written off as a Harvest Moon clone is today one of the most beloved cozy games of all time.

The charming pixelated farming sim continuously tops charts and has a thriving player base and a wholesome community. The gameplay is simple enough to relax with, but deep enough to keep players engrossed for hours.

As a result, it’s no surprise to find Stardew Valley once again near the top of a “most-played” chart.

1

Peak Is Better Together, But It’s Playable Alone

The Summit Of The Daily Players Steam List

PEAK

Systems

Released

June 16, 2025

Developer(s)

Landcrab

Publisher(s)

Aggro Crab, Landfall

Engine

Unity

Multiplayer

Online Co-Op

At the moment, only one game has managed to dethrone Stardew Valley as having the most daily players. Peak is newcomer on the scene, releasing just last month, but it’s already amassed a massive following and achieved viral success.

Peak invites quirky, cartoonish characters to climb to the top of a mountain. The game can be enjoyed solo or with friends, with the multiplayer element certainly helping to make it as popular as it is.

The fun but brutal game has emerged as a viral sensation and one of the most-played Steam games, based on daily player count.

Source: SteamDB, Steam, Zelisca/Steam