Summary
Cooperative multiplayer video games have exploded in popularity onSteam, with a recent study finding that 2023 saw more co-op titles released on the PC platform than in any prior year.Steamis among the largest video game platforms on the planet and boasts one of the most expansive libraries in history, and cooperative games are starting to make up a sizable portion of Steam’s most popular offerings.
In spite of sudden cancelations and industry layoffs, video games have continued to see rising sales in recent years. BothAAA and indie co-op video gameshave proven to be incredibly successful, and data has shown just how significant these multiplayer titles have become on Steam.
According to a study byVG Insights, almost 800 co-op games were sold on Steam in 2023, marking the largest ever number of cooperative titles sold on the platform in a single year. Of all titles sold on Steam in 2023, co-op games accounted for roughly 36%, and 2024 is projected to see co-op games climb even higher to an estimated 46% of all games sold on Steam. Analysts note that these numbers are likely influenced by AAA releases, such asgames likeBaldur’s Gate 3, though multiplayer indie games have also seen rising sales compared to single-player launches. Objectively, co-op games having higher sales makes sense, as they require multiple users to purchase the game to play together. However, taking a closer look at external variables reveals key influences on the popularity of multiplayer games.
What Makes Co-op Games So Popular?
While many multiplayer games have become popular on their own merits, numerous co-op titles have seen the added benefits of content creation and social media as driving forces for success. Indie releases likeLethal CompanyandContent Warningshot to stardom very quickly, due in large part to the number of funny clips and viral memes of content creators playing these co-op titles. Even bigger releases likeHelldivers 2andPalworldalso saw a surge in sales and popularity thanks to the vast amount of online content being generated by top streamers and YouTubers. With large groups of big name creators coming together to play co-op titles, they are able to pool their audiences and subsequently open up a larger range of consumers to purchase these games. Frommultiplayer co-op horror gamesto hilarious party titles, content creation and social media continue to steer audiences towards cooperative video games.
Multiplayer titles continue to see boosts in sales, with memes and other online content often serving as major catalysts for early popularity spikes for AAA andindie co-op game releases. Whether these trends are truly sustainable and will continue over the next several years remains to be seen, butSteamis likely to remain a front-runner for co-op game offerings.
Steam
Steam is a digital video game storefront and program developed by Valve that allows gamers to purchase, play, and mod their titles all through one convenient program.
