Steam remains the digital heart of PC gaming. With millions of concurrent players at any given moment, its most-played charts offer a revealing glimpse into the tastes and trends shaping the community. From long-time champions to fresh viral hits, here’s a deep dive into the 20 most played games on Steam, based on player data as of August 1, 2025.
🥇 1. Counter-Strike 2 #
Genre: Tactical FPS
Developer: Valve
Concurrent Players: 939,836
Valve’s iconic tactical shooter continues to dominate the charts. Counter-Strike 2 refines the formula with Source 2 enhancements, razor-sharp mechanics, and a fiercely loyal competitive scene. It’s not just a game—it’s an institution.
🥈 2. Dota 2 #
Genre: MOBA
Developer: Valve
Concurrent Players: 474,374
A MOBA giant that shows no signs of fading. Dota 2 rewards strategic depth, mechanical skill, and teamwork, with every match telling a different story. Its steep learning curve is a badge of honor for veterans.
🥉 3. PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS #
Genre: Battle Royale
Developer: KRAFTON
Concurrent Players: 147,607
The game that popularized battle royale is still attracting high-stakes survivalists. PUBG’s slower pace and realistic gunplay set it apart from its flashier peers, rewarding precision and patience.
4. Rust #
Genre: Survival Sandbox
Developer: Facepunch Studios
Concurrent Players: 119,827
More than a survival game, Rust is a social experiment gone off the rails. Cooperation and betrayal go hand-in-hand in its brutal sandbox where anything—and anyone—can be weaponized.
5. Marvel Rivals #
Genre: Hero Shooter
Developer: NetEase Games
Concurrent Players: 108,542
Marvel meets Overwatch in this high-energy team shooter. With beloved characters and ability-driven combat, Marvel Rivals taps into a massive fanbase while delivering fast-paced, strategic gameplay.
6. Source SDK Base 2007 #
Genre: Engine Framework
Developer: Valve
Concurrent Players: 100,898
Not exactly a game, but its inclusion reflects the backend usage of Valve’s Source engine. Frequently used for mods, legacy games, and community servers—it’s the quiet engine powering parts of Steam’s ecosystem.
7. Banana #
Genre: Clicker / Idle
Developer: Unknown
Concurrent Players: 86,502
A surreal viral hit where… you click a banana. That’s the whole game. It’s absurd, hilarious, and probably botted—but it’s undeniably one of the most-played titles right now. Internet culture in its rawest form.
8. Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six® Siege X #
Genre: Tactical Shooter
Developer: Ubisoft
Concurrent Players: 85,042
The tactical FPS evolves yet again with the “X” edition. Siege remains a thinking-person’s shooter—one where intel, timing, and operator synergy outweigh sheer reflexes.
9. Dead by Daylight #
Genre: Asymmetrical Horror
Developer: Behaviour Interactive
Concurrent Players: 74,385
A terrifying game of cat and mouse. With its mix of original and licensed killers, Dead by Daylight remains the go-to horror multiplayer experience. Few games offer such sustained tension.
10. GTA V Legacy #
Genre: Open-World Action
Developer: Rockstar Games
Concurrent Players: 69,584
Ten years in, GTA V is still raking in players. Whether it’s through heists, roleplay servers, or chaotic online lobbies, Los Santos continues to be one of gaming’s busiest cities.
11–20: At a Glance #
11. EA SPORTS FC 25 #
The post-FIFA evolution keeps football fans hooked with Ultimate Team, career mode, and official licensing.
12. Baldur’s Gate 3 #
A rich, cinematic CRPG that brings Dungeons & Dragons to life. Deep characters, real choices, and memorable storytelling.
13. Apex Legends #
A fast, vertical, and ability-driven battle royale with a focus on movement and hero synergy.
14. Destiny 2 #
Bungie’s hybrid MMO shooter still thrives, offering cosmic lore, raids, and tight gunplay.
15. Bongo Cat #
Less game, more internet meme. You click, the cat plays an instrument. Surprisingly relaxing.
16. RimWorld #
A colony sim powered by emergent storytelling and procedural chaos. Every failure is a fun disaster.
17. Call of Duty® #
Likely Warzone or the latest installment—Call of Duty continues to deliver polished, high-octane action.
18. PEAK #
A new contender entering the charts—details are scarce, but the momentum is real.
19. Football Manager 2024 #
For those who dream of managing rather than playing. Tactical depth and obsessive detail make it a niche masterpiece.
20. Warframe #
Space ninjas, loot, and co-op missions. Warframe’s flow state gameplay is still unmatched in the F2P arena.
🎯 Final Thoughts #
From competitive shooters and esports titans to clicker memes and complex simulations, Steam’s most played list paints a broad picture of what PC gamers are obsessed with right now. It’s not just about what’s new or shiny—it’s about what keeps players coming back, match after match, day after day.
Whether you’re fragging out, building colonies, or just… clicking a banana, August 2025 has something for everyone.