Once Human Soars Past 230k Peak Player Milestone

NetEase's post-apocalyptic survival game, Once Human, has achieved a remarkable 230,000 peak concurrent players on Steam since its PC debut. This success also secured it a top 7 spot in Steam's best-selling games and a top 5 position in the most-played category. However, this initial surge may mask a potential player decline.

The game, slated for a mobile release in September, has already announced exciting updates. These include a PvP mode pitting the Mayflies and Rosetta factions against each other, and a challenging PvE expansion in a new northern mountain region featuring fresh enemies. Once Human, set in a world ravaged by a catastrophic event leading to supernatural occurrences, is a highly anticipated title from NetEase.

Despite its apparent readiness, NetEase has surprisingly delayed the mobile launch, although it remains scheduled for September. Despite this delay, the game maintains its strong position in Steam's sales and player count rankings.

Cause for Concern? The use of "peak" player count (230,000) is significant. The average player count is likely lower, and a post-launch drop from the peak could be a warning sign for NetEase, especially considering the game's initial Steam wishlist count of under 300,000.

NetEase, known for its mobile game dominance, is clearly aiming for PC market penetration. While Once Human's visuals and gameplay are impressive, a rapid shift in primary audience might prove challenging.

Regardless, the mobile launch of Once Human (whenever it arrives) is highly anticipated. In the meantime, explore our list of the best mobile games of 2024 (so far) or check out our list of the year's most anticipated mobile games for other exciting options.