Steam User and Demographic Statistics (2022)

As we move further into the digital age, more and more aspects of our lives are moving online. This is particularly evident in the gaming world, where users can now enjoy a wide range of games without leaving their homes. And while there are many different gaming platforms available, one of the most popular is Steam.
Do you wonder how many people use Steam? Do you think about which games are most popular? If so, the following statistics will give you a better understanding of the Steam userbase, including demographic information and what kinds of games are played.

Steam Facts

What Is Steam?

Steam is a cloud-based gaming service that allows users to play games on any computer. It also allows users to store an extensive collection of games without using too much computer memory. Steam is a popular service for gamers because it provides flexibility and convenience.
Also, the gaming platform enables you to play games, connect with other players, and create communities. It was launched in 2003 by Valve Corporation and has since become the most prominent digital distribution platform for PC gaming, with over 120 million monthly active users.

When Was Steam Made?

Valve Corporation developed a digital distribution platform for video games. It was released in September 2003 as a way for Valve to provide automatic updates for their games but eventually expanded to include games from third-party developers.

Steam User and Demographic Statistics

The userbase and demographic information of Steam, the popular digital game distribution service, in 2022, is as follows:

How Many Monthly Active Users Does Steam Have?

The active users on Steam have seen continuous growth over the past few years. In 2020 alone, the platform gained an additional 25 million monthly active users, amounting to 120 million users. This is attributed to the 26.31% year-over-year growth that the platform experienced.
In 2017, the monthly active user base was 67 million. This number increased to 90 million in 2018 and 95 million in 2019 before reaching the 120 million mark in 2020.
These statistics indicate the growing popularity of Steam as a gaming platform. Given the large and engaged user base, it is likely that this trend will continue in the future. Developers and publishers should consider releasing their games on Steam to tap into this market.

How Many Daily Active Users Does Steam Have?

The daily active users on Steam have increased to 62.6 million in 2022 from 47 million in 2018. Out of the total monthly active users, more than half (51.99%) access Steam daily. This indicates that the community present on the platform is highly engaged.

What Is The Most Concurrent Users Steam Has Had?

The most concurrent users on Steam were in March 2021, with 26.85 million users. The average daily peak in March 2021 was 25.65 million, a 29.35% increase from the previous year.
In December 2020, 23.96 million people used Steam at its peak. This number increased to 24.67 million in January 2021 and 25.38 million in February 2021 before hitting the highest point in March 2021 with 25.65 million users.

What Are The Total Hours Logged on Steam?

The total hours that Steam users spent playing games in 2020 was 31.3 billion. This is a 50.55% increase from the previous year. The number of monthly active users (MAUs) also grew by 26.31%. These statistics show that people spend more time playing games on Steam than ever before.

How Many Games Are Added to Steam Each Year?

In 2020, a record number of 10,263 games were released on Steam, increasing 27.76% over the previous year. This is the highest number of game releases on the platform to date.
In 2014, 1,771 games were released on Steam. This number increased to 2,964 in 2015, 4,207 in 2016, and 7,049 in 2017. In 2018 and 2019, 9,050 and 8,033 games were released, respectively. 2020 saw the highest number of game releases with 10,263 new titles.
These numbers show that the Steam platform is continuing to grow in popularity. More and more developers are releasing their games on the platform, and users are buying them up. This is good news for both developers and PC gamers alike.

What Are The Top Games on Steam by Player Count?

PUBG is the most played game on Steam by all-time peak concurrent users. The next is Counter-Strike and Dota 2. The peak number of users for PUBG is 3.26 million, while for Counter-Strike: Global Offensive is 1.3 million and for Dota 2 is 1.29 million.
Other most played games in the top 5 are Cyberpunk 2077 with 1.05 million and Valheim with 502 thousand users.

What Are The Top Steam Games by Genre?

Indie games are the most popular genre on Steam, with over 32,000 titles. Action and adventure games are also popular, each with over 17,000 games.
Using Steam, simulation, strategy, and RPG games are also well-represented, with over 8,000 games in each category. Sports games make up a smaller library, with just over 2,000 titles.

How Many Sessions Have Been Logged on SteamVR?

As of 2022, Steam reports that 104 million PC VR sessions are taking place on the platform. This is a significant increase from the 1.7 million users who tried SteamVR for the first time in 2020. The average session time has also increased to 32 minutes, showing that users spend more time immersed in VR experiences.
The Steam catalog now includes 3,870 VR-only games, making up 7.68% of the total Steam game count. This shows a continued commitment from developers to create dedicated VR content. In addition, 4,571 games now support VR, meaning that a wide range of titles is accessible to those with a headset. There's something for you, whether you're looking for a first-person shooter or a puzzle game.

What Are The Top OS for Steam Users?

Windows is the most popular operating system for Steam users by a large margin. 96.17% of users access the service on Windows, while only 2.98% use OSX and 0.85% use Linux. This is likely because Windows is the most widely used operating system globally.

What Is The Most Popular Video Cards Among Steam Users?

NVIDIA is the clear leader regarding what brand of video card Steam users have installed on their PCs. AMD and then Intel follow this. A minimal number of users have some other brand of video card established.
The share of NVIDIA video cards amongst Steam users is 75.41%, with AMD video cards coming in at 16.18%. Intel video cards make up 8.28% of the total, and other brands account for just 0.13%.
These statistics are based on data from Steam's hardware survey, which is opt-in and only includes a small sample of the Steam userbase. Nevertheless, it provides a good indication of what kind of hardware is most popular amongst Steam users.

How Does Steam Make Money?

Steam earns revenue through several different means. The primary way is by taking a cut of every game sold on its platform. In addition to this, Steam also charges developers for using its tools and collects licensing fees. Also, they sell physical hardware like controllers and headsets. All of these revenue streams contribute to making Steam one of the best digital game stores in the world.

What Are The Total Hours Logged on Steam?

In 2020, Steam users logged 31.3 billion hours of playtime, which is a 50.55% increase from the previous year. This growth in playtime is significantly higher than the 26.31% growth in MAUs (Monthly Active Users) over the same period.
Several factors could be driving this increase in playtime among Steam users. One possibility is that more people are turning to games as entertainment during the COVID-19 pandemic. With many countries worldwide imposing lockdown measures, people have been spending more time at home and maybe looking for ways to pass the time.
Another factor could be the increasing popularity of online multiplayer games, requiring longer play sessions than single-player games. In recent years, games like Fortnite, Apex Legends, and Overwatch have all been breakout hits and have helped drive up the average playtime per user.
Finally, it's worth noting that Steam now has a much larger userbase than it did even a few years ago. Even if the average playtime per user hasn't changed much, the sheer number of people playing games on Steam has driven up the total playtime logged on the platform.

Steam Users by Age

There are an estimated 120 million active users on Steam. The largest age group on Steam is 20-29, representing 37% of the userbase. The second-largest age group is 30-29, representing 32% of the userbase. 40-49 is the third-largest group, making up 15% of users. 18-19 is the fourth largest group, making up 8% of users. 50-59 is the fifth largest group, making up 7% of users. The remaining 1% of users are 60-64.

Steam Users by Gender

 The gender split among American Steam users has remained relatively stable in recent years, with men making up a slight majority of the user base. However, the platform's international user base is more evenly split between the sexes, with women accounting for 31% of users with 69% of males.

FAQs

Is Steam For PC Only?

Yes, Steam is a PC gaming platform. You can download Steam on Windows, Mac, and Linux computers. It's not possible to use on Android or iOS devices.

Is Steam For Free?

Yes, Steam is free to download and use. But the PC games cost money. Some of them can be bought for just 1$, and some are quite costly.

Can You Use Steam On A Chromebook?

Currently, it is not possible to use Steam on a Chromebook. This is because Chromebooks use a different operating system than Steam is designed for.

How Many GB Is Steam?

Steam is around 5GB in size. This may vary depending on your computer's specifications and which version of Steam you have installed. Also, the games vary in size. Some are just a few MB, while others are multiple GB.

Can You Use Steam Without An Account?

No, an account is required to use any of the features on Steam. This is so that your games and progress can be saved. You can try offline mode if you have limited or no internet access. In this mode, some Steam features will not be available. For example, you will not be able to access the Steam store, community features, or use in-game overlays. However, you can still play your games offline.

Can You Download Steam On Xbox?

No, it is not possible to download Steam on Xbox. To access Steam on your Xbox console, you can use the Wireless Display app to mirror your PC. This will allow you to view and interact with Steam as if running on your computer. It will give you limited control over Steam but may be sufficient for some tasks. Keep in mind that the method requires a strong internet connection.

Are Steam Games Legal?

Yes, all the games on Steam are legal. However, some countries may have certain restrictions that make it difficult to access certain games.

Conclusion

Steam is a massive platform with millions of users. Understanding the demographics and behavior of these users can help game developers create better core games that appeal to a wider audience.
These statistics provide a snapshot of the Steam user base in 2022. They show that the platform is still popular, with a large and diverse userbase. The most popular games on Steam reflect a variety of genres, indicating that there is something for everyone on the platform.
We hope you found this analysis of Steam user statistics informative and insightful. Stay tuned for more analyses like this in the future.
References
https://www.statista.com/forecasts/1242344/steam-us-user-share-by-age
https://backlinko.com/steam-users#total-hours-played-on-steam
https://productmint.com/steam-business-model-how-does-steam-make-money/
https://www.statista.com/forecasts/1242343/steam-us-user-share-by-gender
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