This is a list of the most-played video games ordered by their estimated player count, which include downloads, registered accounts, video game subscription services, and/or monthly active users. This list does not include games with official sales figures; those are located at the list of best-selling video games page instead. This list is also not comprehensive, because player counts are not always publicly available, reliable, or up-to-date.
The list does not include mobile games, unless versions of the game have also been released on non-mobile platforms. Three of the top five most-played video games on this list are published by Tencent.
Contents
- 1 List
- 2 See also
- 3 Notes
- 4 References
List[]
Most-played video games by player count (with at least 25 million)| Game | Number | As of | Business model | Release date | Publisher(s) | Ref. |
|---|
| PUBG | 1,100 million downloads[n 1] | December 2022 | Free-to-play | December 20, 2017 | Krafton / Tencent | [1] |
| Pac-Man | 1,030 million | 1982 | Pay-to-play
Free-to-play | May 21, 1980 | Namco | [n 2][n 1] |
| CrossFire | 1,000 million | February 2020 | Free-to-play | May 3, 2007 | Smilegate / Tencent | [4] |
| Pokémon Go | 1,000 million | February 2019 | Free-to-play | December 13, 2016 | Pokémon Company | [5] |
| Dungeon Fighter Online | 850 million | December 2021 | Free-to-play | August 2005 | Nexon / Tencent | [6][7] |
| QQ Speed / GKART / Speed Drifters | 700 million[n 1] | January 2020 | Free-to-play | January 23, 2008 | Tencent / Garena | [8] |
| Minecraft | 500 million[n 1] | April 2021 | Free-to-play
Pay-to-play[n 3] | November 18, 2011 | Mojang / NetEase[n 3] | [9] |
| Candy Crush Saga | 500 million downloads[n 1] | June 2014 | Free-to-play | April 12, 2012 | King | [10] |
| Among Us | 500 million peak monthly players[n 4] | November 2020 | Free-to-play
Pay-to-play[n 5] | June 15, 2018 | Innersloth | [11] |
| Solitaire | 400 million | July 2015 | Free-to-play | May 22, 1990 | Microsoft | [12] |
| Mini World | 400 million[n 1] | April 2020 | Free-to-play | December 26, 2015 | Miniwan | [13] |
| Crazyracing Kartrider | 380 million registered accounts | March 2020 | Free-to-play | June 1, 2004 | Nexon | [14] |
| Fortnite | 350 million registered accounts[n 1] | May 2020 | Free-to-play | September 26, 2017 | Epic Games | [15] |
| Fantasy Westward Journey | 310 million registered accounts | April 2015 | Free-to-play | December 2001 | NetEase | [16] |
| RuneScape | 280 million registered accounts | April 2020 | Subscription
Free-to-play | January 4, 2001 | Jagex | [17] |
| Rules of Survival | 230 million[n 1] | October 2018 | Free-to-play | November 17, 2017 | NetEase | [18] |
| Roblox | 202 million peak monthly players | April 2021 | Free-to-play | August 27, 2006 | Roblox Corporation | [19] |
| Club Penguin | 200 million registered accounts | July 2013 | Free-to-play | October 2005 | Disney Interactive Studios | [20] |
| Dragon Nest | 200 million | March 2013 | Free-to-play | March 2010 | Nexon | [21] |
| MapleStory | 180 million registered accounts | March 2020 | Free-to-play | April 29, 2003 | Nexon | [14] |
| Tetris | 177 million[n 1] | September 2008 | Pay-to-play
Free-to-play | June 6, 1984 | Various | [22] |
| Animal Jam | 160 million | October 2017 | Free-to-play | September 2010 | WildWorks | [23] |
| World of Tanks | 160 million | April 2020 | Free-to-play | August 12, 2010 | Wargaming | [24] |
| Grand Theft Auto V | 140 million | February 2021 | Pay-to-play | October 1, 2013 | Rockstar Games | [25] |
| Apex Legends | 130 million | February 2022 | Free-to-play | February 4, 2019 | Electronic Arts | [26] |
| The Legend of Mir 3 | 120 million registered accounts | February 2012 | Subscription | October 2004 | WeMade Entertainment | [27] |
| League of Legends | 111 million peak monthly players | August 2018 | Free-to-play | October 27, 2009 | Riot Games | [28] |
| Transformice | 100 million registered accounts | April 2019 | Free-to-play | May 1, 2010 | Atelier 801 | [29] |
| World of Warcraft | 100 million registered accounts | January 2014 | Subscription
Pay-to-play[n 6] | November 23, 2004 | Blizzard Entertainment | [30] |
| CityVille | 100 million[n 1] | October 2011 | Free-to-play | December 2, 2010 | Zynga | [31] |
| Happy Farm | 100 million[n 1] | August 2013 | Free-to-play | November 2008 | 5 Minutes | [32] |
| Scions of Fate | 100 million registered accounts | April 2018 | Free-to-play | November 25, 2004 | KRG Soft | [33] |
| The Sims Social | 100 million | October 2011 | Free-to-play | August 9, 2011 | Electronic Arts | [31] |
| Zhengtu | 100 million registered accounts | April 2018 | Free-to-play | 2007 | Zhengtu Network | [34] |
| Microsoft Solitaire Collection | 100 million | August 2016 | Free-to-play | July 29, 2015 | Microsoft | [35] |
| Hearthstone | 100 million | November 2018 | Free-to-play | March 11, 2014 | Blizzard Entertainment | [36] |
| Call of Duty: Warzone | 100 million[n 7] | April 2021 | Free-to-play | March 20, 2020 | Activision Blizzard | [37] |
| FarmVille | 83 million peak monthly players[n 1] | March 2010 | Free-to-play | June 19, 2009 | Zynga | [38] |
| Westward Journey Online II | 83 million registered accounts | November 2006 | Free-to-play | 2001 | NetEase | [39] |
| Ragnarok Online | 80 million registered accounts | April 2018 | Subscription
Free-to-play[n 8] | August 31, 2002 | Gravity | [27] |
| Moshi Monsters | 80 million registered accounts | July 2014 | Free-to-play | April 16, 2008 | Mind Candy | [40] |
| Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Links | 80 million[n 1] | November 2018 | Free-to-play | November 17, 2016 | Konami | [41] |
| Dragon Oath | 75 million registered accounts | February 2010 | Free-to-play | 2007 | KRG Soft | [42] |
| Rocket League | 75 million | July 7, 2020 | Free-to-play[n 9] | July 7, 2015 | Psyonix | [43] |
| Dofus | 62 million registered accounts | April 2018 | Subscription[n 8] | September 2004 | Ankama | [27] |
| Adopt Me! | 60 million peak monthly players | May, 2021 | Free-to-play | July 14, 2017 | Uplift Games | [44] |
| Flyff | 60 million registered accounts | April 2018 | Free-to-play | August 16, 2004 | Gala Lab | [45] |
| Fall Guys | 50 million | July 2022 | Free-to-play[n 10] | August 4, 2020 | Epic Games | [46] |
| Overwatch | 50 million | November 2019 | Pay-to-play | May 24, 2016 | Blizzard Entertainment | [47] |
| Lineage | 50 million | March 2007 | Subscription | September 3, 1998 | NCSoft | [48] |
| Perfect World | 50 million registered accounts | April 2018 | Free-to-play | July 2005 | Beijing Perfect World | [27] |
| Team Fortress 2 | 50 million owners on Steam[n 11] | July 2018 | Free-to-play | October 10, 2007 | Valve | [49] |
| Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege | 50 million registered accounts | September 2019 | Pay-to-play | December 1, 2015 | Ubisoft | [50] |
| Warframe | 50 million registered accounts | March 2019 | Free-to-play | March 25, 2013 | Digital Extremes | [51] |
| Counter-Strike: Global Offensive | 46 million owners on Steam[n 11] | July 2018 | Free-to-play[n 12] | August 21, 2012 | Valve | [49] |
| Blox Fruits | 45 million | May 2024 | Free-to-play | Janurary 16, 2019 | Gamer Robot Inc | [52] |
| FarmVille 2 | 43 million peak monthly players[n 1] | December 2012 | Free-to-play | September 2012 | Zynga | [53] |
| The Sims 4 | 36 million | May 2021 | Free-to-play[n 13] | September 2, 2014 | Electronic Arts | [54] |
| Drakensang Online | 35 million registered accounts | April 2018 | Free-to-play | August 2011 | Bigpoint | [34] |
| FIFA 20 | 35 million | November 2020 | Pay-to-play | September 27, 2019 | EA Sports | [55] |
| Teamfight Tactics | 33 million monthly players | September 2019 | Free-to-play | June 26, 2019 | Riot Games | [56] |
| Evony | 33 million registered accounts | October 2016 | Free-to-play | May 6, 2009 | Evony LLC | [57] |
| FIFA 18 | 32.5 million[n 14] | December 2018 | Pay-to-play | September 29, 2017 | EA Sports | [58] |
| FIFA 21 | 31 million | August 2021 | Pay-to-play | October 9, 2020 | EA Sports | [59] |
| Black Desert Online | 30 million[n 1] | January 2020 | Pay-to-play | July 14, 2015 | Kakao Games | [60] |
| FIFA 17 | 30 million[n 14] | December 2018 | Pay-to-play | September 27, 2016 | EA Sports | [58] |
| Sea of Thieves | 30 million | June 2022 | Pay-to-play | March 20, 2018 | Rare | [61] |
| Metal Slug Defense | 29 million[n 1] | February 2016 | Free-to-play | May 1, 2014 | SNK | [62] |
| FIFA 16 | 28.3 million[n 14] | December 2018 | Pay-to-play | September 22, 2015 | EA Sports | [58] |
| TERA | 28 million | 2018 | Free-to-play[n 15] | January 25, 2011 | Bluehole | [63] |
| Unturned | 27 million owners on Steam[n 11] | July 2018 | Free-to-play | July 7, 2017 | Smartly Dressed Games | [49] |
| GetAmped | 26 million registered accounts | October 2008 | Free-to-play | April 26, 2002 | CyberStep | [64] |
| Overwatch 2 | 25 million | October 2022 | Free-to-play | October 4, 2022 | Blizzard Entertainment | [65] |
| Street Fighter II | 25 million US players | 1994 | Pay-to-play | February 6, 1991 | Capcom | [66] |
See also[]
Notes[]
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 Includes mobile players.
- ↑ Pac-Man
- Pac-Man (arcade) - 30 million monthly US players (1982)[2]
- Pac-Man Doodle (browser) - 1 billion (2010)[3]
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 NetEase publishes the free-to-play version in China, which accounts for 500 million players.
- ↑ Free-to-play mobile version accounts for 97% of players. Pay-to-play PC version accounts for 3% of players.
- ↑ Mobile version is free-to-play. PC version is pay-to-play.
- ↑ Monthly subscription business model in Western markets, and an alternative pay-to-play business model in Asian markets.
- ↑ Player count based upon PS4, Xbox One and Microsoft Windows
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Includes a free-to-play trial option.
- ↑ Was previously pay-to-play until September 2020
- ↑ Was previously pay-to-play until June 2022
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Not official; the numbers were estimated following a Steam API data leak in July 2018, which gave player ownership estimates for games on the platform that have achievements.
- ↑ Was previously pay-to-play until December 2018
- ↑ Was previously pay-to-play until October 2022
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 Not official; the numbers were estimated by using public player trophy data shown by the "My PS4 Life" service in December 2018.
- ↑ Formerly used a subscription business model before going free-to-play
References[]
- ↑ Fragen, Jordan (5 December 2022). "PUBG Mobile hits $9B in lifetime consumer spending". Venture Beat. https://venturebeat.com/games/pubg-mobile-9-billion-lifetime-spending-pubgm-sensor-tower/.
- ↑ "Men's wear, Volume 185". Men's Wear (Fairchild Publications) 185. 1982. https://books.google.com/books?id=59ZOAAAAYAAJ&q=donkey+kong+arcade+revenue.
- ↑ Fricker, Martin (23 May 2010). "Google gives Pac-Man boost with over 1 billion playing Goggle Doodle game in three days". Daily Mirror. https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/google-gives-pac-man-boost-with-over-223613.
- ↑ Kroll, Justin (13 February 2020). "'Crossfire' Movie Adaptation Lands at Sony (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. https://variety.com/2020/film/news/crossfire-movie-sony-1203502166/.
- ↑ Webster, Andrew (February 28, 2019). "Pokémon Go spurred an amazing era that continues with Sword and Shield". The Verge. https://www.theverge.com/2019/2/28/18243332/pokemon-go-sword-shield-franchise-history-niantic-nintendo-switch.
- ↑ Mahoney, Owen; Uemura, Shiro (February 8, 2022). "Investor Presentation Q4 2021". Nexon. p.38. https://pdf.irpocket.com/C3659/OMfg/a9hj/BsxM.pdf.
- ↑ Hyeong-woo, Kan (March 24, 2022). "Nexon launches Dungeon & Fighter Mobile". The Investor. http://m.theinvestor.co.kr/view.php?ud=20220324000257.
- ↑ Forde, Matthew (January 16, 2020). "Tencent's TiMi Studios discuss Call of Duty: Mobile, Pokémon partnership, and 2020 trends". Pocket Gamer. https://www.pocketgamer.biz/asia/interview/72374/tencents-timi-studios-call-of-duty-pokemon-and-2020-trends/.
- ↑ "Minecraft registered 500 million Chinese players and the next major update will be launched in 2022". TweakTown. 25 November 2020. https://www.realmicentral.com/2021/10/17/minecraft-registered-500-million-chinese-players-and-the-next-major-update-will-be-launched-in-2022/.
- ↑ Why Candy Crush Saga likes to play on your sweet tooth. The Guardian.
- ↑ "November 2020 worldwide digital games market". SuperData Research (Nielsen Company). 18 December 2020. https://www.superdataresearch.com/blog/worldwide-digital-games-market.
- ↑ Marcus, Aaron (July 20, 2015). Design, User Experience, and Usability: Interactive Experience Design: 4th International Conference, DUXU 2015, Held as Part of HCI International 2015, Los Angeles, CA, USA, August 2-7, 2015, Proceedings. Springer. p.284. ISBN978-3-319-20889-3. https://books.google.com/books?id=67U0CgAAQBAJ&pg=PA284.
- ↑ "China's largest sandbox game sees sales spike with Hasbro brand". Pocket Gamer. April 8, 2020. https://www.pocketgamer.biz/asia/news/73063/chinas-largest-sandbox-game-sees-sales-spike-with-hasbro-brand/.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 "Investor Presentation Q1 2020". Nexon. May 13, 2020. http://pdf.irpocket.com/C3659/yCGV/B6S9/ynEy.pdf.
- ↑ Statt, Nick (May 6, 2020). Fortnite is now one of the biggest games ever with 350 million players. The Verge.
- ↑ "Success of Fantasy Westward Journey Reinforces NetEase's Position as China's Leading Game Company". PR Newswire. April 21, 2015. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/success-of-fantasy-westward-journey-reinforces-neteases-position-as-chinas-leading-game-company-300069178.html.
- ↑ RuneScape Online Community. Jagex (April 10, 2020).
- ↑ Rules of Survival. NetEase.
- ↑ Roblox Notches 202 Million Estimated Monthly Users, An All-Time High (en-US). GameSpot.
- ↑ 'Star Wars' Takes Over Disney's Club Penguin. Variety (11 July 2013).
- ↑ "Dragon Nest Europe Finally Launched". PRWeb. March 5, 2013. https://www.prweb.com/releases/20130306/dneu_open/prweb10498367.htm.
- ↑ "Tetris POP". GamesIndustry.biz (Gamer Network). 9 September 2008. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/tetris-pop--an-exhilarating-twist--on-the-original-for-mobile-phones.
- ↑ WildWorks – News. WildWorks (October 2017).
- ↑ Online Multiplayer Tank Game Template:Pipe World of Tanks. World of Tanks. Wargaming.“More than 160,000,000 players”
- ↑ "'Grand Theft Auto V' sold 20 million units in 2020, the most since its 2013 release, Take-Two CEO says". CNBC. February 9, 2021. https://www.cnbc.com/2021/02/09/take-two-ceo-grand-theft-auto-v-sold-record-20-million-units-in-2020.html.
- ↑ How many people play Apex Legends? Player count in 2022 (en). Dexerto.
- ↑ 27.0 27.1 27.2 27.3 Deterding, Sebastian; Zagal, José (April 17, 2018). Role-Playing Game Studies: Transmedia Foundations. Routledge. p.318. ISBN978-1-317-26831-4. https://books.google.com/books?id=ix9WDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT318.
- ↑ "Culture clash: Why Arena of Valor is struggling in America". GamesIndustry.biz. August 10, 2018. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2018-08-10-culture-clash-why-arena-of-valor-is-struggling-in-america.
- ↑ Transformice Adventures. www.icomedia.eu.
- ↑ Blizzard reaches 100M lifetime World of Warcraft accounts. Polygon.
- ↑ 31.0 31.1 "EA's The Sims Social has stolen millions of players from Zynga". VentureBeat. October 12, 2011. https://venturebeat.com/2011/10/12/eas-the-sims-social-has-stolen-a-lot-of-players-from-zynga/.
- ↑ "Internet Generation Mourns as Renren Shutters 'Happy Farm'". The Wall Street Journal. August 22, 2013. https://blogs.wsj.com/chinarealtime/2013/08/22/internet-generation-mourns-as-renren-shutters-happy-farm/.
- ↑ "Browser-based Yulgang is Unveiled by Mgame". AVING: Global news network. June 21, 2011. http://us.aving.net/news/view.php?articleId=202644.
- ↑ 34.0 34.1 Deterding, Sebastian; Zagal, José (April 17, 2018). Role-Playing Game Studies: Transmedia Foundations. Routledge. p.319. ISBN978-1-317-26831-4. https://books.google.com/books?id=ix9WDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT319.
- ↑ "Microsoft Solitaire Collection hits milestone: 100 million unique users". Windows Experience Blog. August 31, 2016. https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2016/08/31/microsoft-solitaire-collection-hits-milestone-100-million-unique-users/.
- ↑ Chalk, Andy (November 5, 2018). Blizzard celebrates 100 million Hearthstone players with free card packs for everyone (en-US). PC Gamer.
- ↑ James, Mattone (21 April 2021). "TWO INCREDIBLE MILESTONES: CALL OF DUTY®: WARZONE™ REACHES 100 MILLION PLAYERS, PREMIUM CALL OF DUTY® GAME SALES ECLIPSES 400 MILLION". Call of Duty (Activision). https://www.callofduty.com/blog/2021/04/Incredible-Warzone-and-Game-Sales-Milestones.
- ↑ Zynga's CityVille becomes the biggest-ever app on Facebook. Venture Beat.
- ↑ Chan, Katrina (November 24, 2006). "The Best International Stock for 2007: NetEase.com -- The Motley Fool". The Motley Fool. https://www.fool.com/investing/high-growth/2006/11/24/the-best-international-stock-for-2007-neteasecom.aspx.
- ↑ Moshi Monsters boss Michael Acton Smith steps down. BBC News (July 11, 2014).
- ↑ "KONAMI、『遊戯王 デュエルリンクス』が世界累計8000万DLを突破！ 「ジェム」プレゼントとお得なセールなど記念キャンペーンを実施！" (in ja). Social Game Info. November 1, 2018. https://gamebiz.jp/?p=223651.
- ↑ "Dragon Oath Interview: Age of Destiny". OnRPG. February 3, 2010. http://www.onrpg.com/news/dragon-oath-interview-age-of-destiny/.
- ↑ Rocket League's 2020 Infographic: Five Years and Counting (en-us). Rocket League® - Official Site.
- ↑ How These Developers Hope to Build a 100-Person Game Studio Inside 'Roblox' (en). www.vice.com.
- ↑ "Next expansion confirmed for Europe & North America!". Flyff Gold Official Site (Webzen). April 21, 2016. http://en.flyff.webzen.com/Community/News/All/1000000000/3846.
- ↑ Fall Guys Reaches 50 Million Players In Two Weeks Since Going Free-To-Play. Nintendo Life (6 July 2022).
- ↑ Overwatch has more than 40 million players. PC Gamer.
- ↑ "Original Lineage Game Grows Even Larger with Latest Free Content Update from NCsoft". Press Releases (NCSoft). March 29, 2007. http://global.ncsoft.com/GLOBAL/board/view.aspx?BID=mc_press&BC=&SYear=&SType=&SWord=&PNo=1&BNo=95.
- ↑ 49.0 49.1 49.2 Valve leaks Steam game player counts; we have the numbers. Ars Technica (July 6, 2018).
- ↑ Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege Has Reached an Impressive Player Count. PlayStation Lifestyle.
- ↑ Scott-Jones, Richard (March 25, 2019). Warframe has almost 50 million registered players. PCGamesN.
- ↑ https://www.roblox.com/games/2753915549/Blox-Fruits
- ↑ Goldman, David (December 31, 2012). "Zynga shuts down PetVille, 10 other apps". CNN Money. https://money.cnn.com/2012/12/31/technology/social/zynga-games/index.html.
- ↑ Electronic Arts Reports Q4 and FY21 Financial Results. Electronic Arts.
- ↑ Electronic Arts Reports Strong Q2 FY21 Financial Results. Electronic Arts.
- ↑ "Teamfight Tactics hits 33 million monthly players, making Riot Games happy". VentureBeat. 25 September 2019. https://venturebeat.com/2019/09/25/teamfight-tactics-hits-33-million-monthly-players-making-riot-games-happy/.
- ↑ "Evony Gaming Data Breach Could Affect 33 Million Players". TechRaptor. October 16, 2016. https://techraptor.net/content/evony-gaming-data-breach-affect-33-million-players.
- ↑ 58.0 58.1 58.2 Orland, Kyle (December 17, 2018). "Sony inadvertently leaks player counts for PS4 titles" (in en-us). Ars Technica. https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2018/12/sony-inadvertently-leaks-player-counts-for-ps4-titles/.
- ↑ Electronic Arts Reports Q1 FY22 Financial Results.
- ↑ Forde, Matthew (20 January 2020). "Black Desert Mobile reaches 20 million installs, series crosses $1.5 billion revenue". Pocket Gamer. https://www.pocketgamer.biz/asia/news/72398/black-desert-mobile-reaches-20-million-installs-series-crosses-15-billion-revenue/.
- ↑ Everything announced at the Xbox and Bethesda Games Showcase. gamesradar (June 12, 2022).
- ↑ "『METAL SLUG ATTACK』配信開始！ 『METAL SLUG DEFENSE』の続編がついに登場" (in ja). ApplivGames. February 15, 2016. https://games.app-liv.jp/archives/66256.
- ↑ "En Masse Entertainment, Publisher Of TERA And Stranger Things, Is Closing Down". TheGamer. 18 August 2020. https://www.thegamer.com/en-masse-entertainment-publisher-tera-stranger-things-closed/.
- ↑ "Wii版の発表も！『ゲットアンプド2』発表会に田中理恵ら人気声優が出演" (in ja). Famitsu.com. October 21, 2008. https://www.famitsu.com/pcent/news/1219194_1341.html.
- ↑ Overwatch 2 reaches 25 million players, tripling Overwatch 1 daily peaks (en). PC Gamer (14 October 2022).
- ↑ "Business Week". Business Week (Bloomberg) (3392–3405): 58. 1994. https://books.google.com/books?id=kAseAQAAMAAJ. "Japan's Capcom Co. has sold 12 million copies of its Street Fighter games worldwide and figures that 25 million Americans have played the games at home or in arcades."
