Pocket Pair’s Palworld has become the sixth game to surpass the 1 million concurrent player count on Valve’s PC platform, Steam.
According to Steam statistics for Palworld, the action adventure survival game has hit a major milestone on the platform, surpassing the 1 million concurrent player count only a day after its release on January 19, 2024. The game reached an all-time peak player count of 1,006,400 today.
This achievement has given Palworld the sixth place in the all-time concurrent player charts, following the likes of PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS, Counter-Strike 2, Lost Ark, Dota 2, and Cyberpunk 2077.
For the uninitiated, Palworld is set in an open world inhabited by animal-like creatures called “Pals.” Players engage in battles to capture these Pals, utilizing them for tasks like base construction, traversal, and combat. Palworld supports both solo play and online multiplayer, accommodating up to 32 players on a single server. Initially revealed in 2021, the game entered early access for Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S in January 2024. Its humorous concept, featuring firearms and armed Pals, led to it being nicknamed “Pokémon With Guns.” The game also gained attention for using creatures in various roles, including food production and work in mines and factories.
Palworld officially launched in early access, selling over three million copies within the initial 48 hours. Reception was generally positive, praising gameplay, content, and satirical elements, but criticism surfaced for reliance on shock humor and perceived lack of originality in design and mechanics. Players take control of a customizable third-person avatar, tasked with exploring the Palpagos Islands. The gameplay involves managing hunger, crafting tools, gathering materials, and constructing bases that serve as fast travel points. A technology tree unlocks new weapons, structures, and decorations for players to craft and use. The islands host over 100 creatures known as Pals. Combat with Pals involves weakening and capturing them using “Pal Spheres,” and players can also purchase or trade Pals with other players through NPCs.
