player counts Archives

AppWizard

May 22, 2026

Dying Light’s former director believes devs are obligated ‘to focus and listen to the players’ because as soon as a game’s released ‘it stops being only your game’

Tymon Smektała, who spent 13 years directing the game Dying Light, recently stepped down from his role. At the Digital Dragons Conference, he discussed the importance of player feedback, stating that a game evolves into a shared experience with numerous stakeholders after its release. He emphasized the need for developers to engage with their community and build relationships, while also cautioning that player feedback should not be viewed as absolute truth. Smektała acknowledged that while players may not always have the right solutions, their feelings are crucial indicators of a game's direction. He highlighted the importance of understanding player sentiment and maintaining a balance between creator intent and player experience.

AppWizard

May 5, 2026

“If people are saying ‘dead game,’ that means our game is alive:” how Apex Legends is winning back players

Apex Legends has achieved its highest player count in a year and a half, particularly following the launch of Season 28, which saw a 50% increase in player counts on Steam. This resurgence is attributed to years of collaboration with the community and changes in internal processes at Respawn Entertainment. The upcoming Season 29 will introduce Axle, the first new Legend in over a year, aimed at attracting new players. Additionally, changes to the ranked mode for solo players will be implemented, placing them in slightly easier lobbies based on skill level to create a more balanced competitive environment. Apex Legends aims to reclaim its peak player count of over 620,000 from 2023 by continuing to innovate and engage its player base.

AppWizard

May 4, 2026

If you’re asking why everyone’s making an extraction shooter, Escape from Tarkov is the 11th most-played game on PC according to new report, beating Overwatch, Marvel Rivals, and PUBG

Escape From Tarkov, developed by Battlestate Games, ranked 11th in overall playtime on PC for the year 2025, according to a report from Newzoo. It outperformed several established titles, including Overwatch 2, Marvel Rivals, PUBG, Apex Legends, GTA 5, and Diablo 4. The game was edged out for the 10th position by Call of Duty: Black Ops 7. The rankings reflect overall playtime rather than concurrent or total player counts, indicating that while Escape From Tarkov may not have the largest player base, its players are highly dedicated.

AppWizard

May 2, 2026

As Steam player counts continue to dominate conversations around multiple games, it turns out 45% of you don’t actually care that much for the metric

Nearly 45% of respondents prefer to enjoy their gaming experience without focusing on player counts. About 32% pay attention to these figures, with 15% humorously claiming to be Gabe Newell. Additionally, 13% only monitor player counts when concerned about a game's potential closure, and 10% check them to provoke reactions among fans. The author enjoys tracking player counts but maintains skepticism about their significance in the overall gaming experience.