Steam gamers have shown a distinct preference for older titles, as revealed in this year’s Steam Replay, the platform’s end-of-year review. This annual report not only highlights individual gaming habits but also provides a broader perspective on gaming trends across the platform.
In a striking statistic, 15% of total playtime on Steam in 2024 was dedicated to games released this year. However, a deeper dive into the data reveals that nearly half of all gaming hours—47%—were spent on titles that debuted between one and seven years ago. Furthermore, an impressive 37% of total playtime was attributed to games that have been around for eight years or more. While at first glance this may suggest a lack of enthusiasm for new releases, the numbers tell a different story. The 15% share of playtime for 2024 releases marks an increase from the previous year’s 9%, indicating a growing engagement with new titles. In fact, looking back to 2022, 17% of playtime was allocated to games launched that year.
According to PC Gamer, live service games continue to dominate the Steam charts, with Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, and PUBG BATTLEGROUNDS currently holding the top three positions in terms of active players. The enduring popularity of classic titles, such as GTA V, further complicates the landscape, leaving limited room for new games to break into the upper echelons of player engagement.
Best Steam games of 2024
Despite the fondness for older games, 2024 has seen the release of several noteworthy titles that deserve recognition. The ongoing appreciation for classic games does not overshadow the innovative efforts of developers. Our Gaming and News Editor, Rebecca Spear, has curated a selection of seven standout games from this year, showcasing a mix of both new and established favorites. Among her recommendations is the highly praised Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, which launched just this month, alongside enduring classics like Baldur’s Gate 3. Spear’s extensive list also includes a variety of other titles released this year that are certainly worth exploring.
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