The Most Played Games on Steam in 2023

2023 was a big year for gamers. While there were definitely some stinkers — remember Gollum? — it was also a year with tons of epic releases that shaped the way we game. Here are the most-played games of 2023 according to Steam.

Remember that these are the top games on Steam, meaning peak concurrent player count in 2023 just on PC alone. This doesn’t count other consoles or even games played on other clients on PC, like League of Legends. All of these games had over 300,000 peak concurrent players last year, making them the most popular games.

Steam Winter Sale Guide — Best Games

Dota 2

This popular MOBA continued to dominate charts despite coming out over a decade ago. The competitive nature has gamers in a chokehold, especially since the esports scene has only grown.

Baldur’s Gate 3

Baldur's Gate 3

Baldur’s Gate 3 came out in 2023 and was immediately a massive hit. It was not only critically acclaimed but also a source of obsession for many gamers. The interesting characters and endless exploration has allowed for multiple playthroughs, keeping the player count high.

Starfield

Starfield

Despite Starfield coming out with a bang, the space-themed open-world RPG lost its touch and players fell off later in 2023. Still, it had enough positive months to land it at the top of Steam’s chart for 2023. The game had plenty of Bethesda charm, including mysterious planets to explore, quirky NPCs, and complex building opportunities — but it felt a bit empty and pointless compared to Fallout and Skyrim, leaving a lot to be desired as gamers continued to grind.

Hogwarts Legacy

Hogwarts Legacy

This controversial game didn’t win any awards at The Game Awards last year but it did please the Harry Potter fanbase. Some have argued that it was snubbed, arguing that it was only ignored at the award show based on JK Rowling’s radical views and the possible antisemitic elements sprinkled within the game. But despite all of the drama, Hogwarts Legacy provided immersive gameplay and the opportunity to explore Hogwarts for long-time fans.

Sons of the Forest

Sons of the Forest

This is a survival horror game where you must journey through a cannibal-infested remote island to find a missing billionaire. Craft, build, and fight to survive — alone or with friends. Gamers enjoyed the freedom of the game since you could essentially do whatever you wanted and you choose what to do next. On top of that, the violence and jump scares made it an addicting experience for fans of the genre.

Apex Legends

Apex Legends\Respawn Entertainment

This colorful battle royale remained popular throughout 2023 thanks to its constant updates. New legends, game modes, cosmetics, and other in-game content continued to change the dynamic of the game. What always remained the same, however, is the fast-paced and satisfying gunplay. Despite a lack of pop culture crossovers, this has proven to be one of the most popular battle royales.

Destiny 2

Destiny 2

Fans of Destiny 2 are anxiously awaiting the The Final Shape, which will conclude the current storyline. Until then, the game has plenty to do, keeping it at the top of the charts all year. With an in-depth plot, massive world, and endless combat opportunities, Destiny 2 has remained a fan-favorite massive online multiplayer shooter.

Counter-Strike 2

While fans have been begging for the return of Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, it seems CS2 isn’t doing too bad after all. The allegedly upgraded version of CS:GO has taken over the FPS esports scene and streamers have continued to grind it, keeping it in the spotlight.

Lost Ark

This MMO action roleplaying game places you in a vibrant world with endless possibilities. The addicting game often has players teaming up to create shelters, collect resources, and conquer monsters. It’s easy to see why it’s on the top-played list since slacking in this game could spell disaster for your team’s base.