Once Human Soars to New Heights with 230K Peak

NetEase's post-apocalyptic survival game, Once Human, achieved a remarkable 230,000 peak concurrent players on Steam following its PC debut. This impressive launch also secured the game a top-seven spot in sales and a top-five position in the most-played list. However, this initial surge might mask a potential player decline.

Scheduled for a mobile release in September, Once Human has already announced exciting updates. These include a player-versus-player (PvP) mode pitting the Mayflies and Rosetta factions against each other, and a new player-versus-environment (PvE) area in a northern mountain region, introducing fresh challenges and enemies. The game's unique setting, a world ravaged by a catastrophic event leading to supernatural occurrences, has generated significant anticipation.

Despite its seemingly successful launch, NetEase has surprisingly delayed the mobile release, still targeting September. Nevertheless, the game maintains its strong position in Steam's sales and most-played charts.

A Cause for Concern?

The use of "peak" player count is crucial. The average player count may be considerably lower, and a post-launch drop from the peak isn't ideal, especially considering the game's initial Steam wishlist count of under 300,000.

NetEase, known for its mobile game dominance, is clearly making a significant push into the PC market. While Once Human's visuals and gameplay are impressive, a rapid shift in their core audience might prove challenging.

The mobile release of Once Human remains highly anticipated, regardless of the slight delay. In the meantime, explore our curated lists of the best and most anticipated mobile games of 2024 for alternative gaming options.