A whopping 37% of Steam users' playtime in 2024 was spent on titles released eight or more years ago

Dec 23, 2024

37% of Steam playtime in 2024 was for titles 8+ years old, while new releases took just 15%.

A whopping 37% of Steam users' playtime in 2024 was spent on titles released eight or more years ago

: Steam's 2024 data reveal that 37% of gaming hours were spent on titles launched eight or more years ago. New releases in 2024 only accounted for 15% of playtime, reflecting a trend of older games maintaining popularity. Major titles like Counter-Strike, Dota 2, and PUBG led in active players, with Path of Exile 2 and Marvel Rivals as notable new entries. A sheer abundance of classic titles also encourages nostalgic gaming habits.

In 2024, 37% of total playtime by Steam users was focused on games released eight or more years ago, while recent entries from 2024 made up just 15%. This pattern has been consistent, with older games maintaining a stronghold over players' preferences, despite new launches.

Games like Counter-Strike, Dota 2, and PUBG continue to dominate with the most players, although new hits such as Path of Exile 2 and Marvel Rivals also captured attention. However, these modern releases are still overshadowed by the preference for 'modern classics' from the past 1-7 years, which have a broader appeal by taking up 47% of gaming hours.

The enormous catalog of older titles, which exceeds 200,000 from a decade ago, offers players endless opportunities to keep reliving past gaming experiences. In comparison, 2024 saw only 18,000 new titles, leaving a bulk of the player base to indulge in well-established favorites, reinforcing the trend of nostalgia in gaming.