While consoles used to rule the gaming world, PC Gaming is becoming more and more popular each year. WePC found that Steam sales for PC games hit 4.3 billion USD in 2017, an 18.6% increase since 2015! So what are the biggest PC games nowadays? Newzoo’s PC Game Tracker identified the most popular PC games in September 2018.
The list shows the massive popularity of esports games. All of the games on the top ten are online games and all of them have a competitive scene- even Minecraft, to some extent. Here’s a breakdown of the top ten.
10. Dota 2
Valve’s free-to-play MOBA has been going strong for over 5 years now, and even longer when you consider the original Dota came out in 2003! It’s still one of the biggest esports titles of all time, with $100 million more in prize money handed out than any other game according to Esportsearnings. Dota 2 is available for free on Steam.
9. Rainbow Six: Siege
Rainbow Six Siege is growing fast in popularity. The tactical shooter gives players plenty of options, such as blowing up walls and setting up traps. The esports scene is growing too. The Six Major Paris 2018 had a prize pool of $350,000, and the Six Invitational was even bigger. This exciting FPS could become a legitimate competitor to Counter-Strike in future.
8. Overwatch
Overwatch may have dwindled in popularity a little bit. The game was huge in 2016, and probably just as big in 2017. Thanks to regular updates and a dedicated fanbase, the game still does well in sales. The esports scene is also live and kicking- Overwatch League tickets were more in-demand than Drake tickets this year!
7. World of Warcraft
This timeless MMORPG has been popular ever since its 2004 release. Even today, World of Warcraft still has a huge player base with around 5.19 million subscribers in 2018. It looks like WoW isn’t going away any time soon.
6. Minecraft
Minecraft isn’t just one of the most popular PC games, it’s the second best-selling video game of all time right behind Tetris. The game is a cultural phenomenon, many new players still sign up today and there are even rumors of Minecraft Steve in Smash Bros Ultimate. This is another game that’s perpetually popular.
5. PLAYERUNKNOWN’S BATTLEGROUNDS
PUBG placing so high is a huge success, especially considering it has to compete with Fortnite for the Battle Royale scene. The game still gets regular updates across PC, consoles, and even PUBG Mobile. The esports scene is also set to grow with the launch of the PUBG Europe League. Expect this one to be even bigger in 2019.
4. Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive is still one of the most popular PC games in the world. In fact, CS: GO was one of the most watched esports of 2018, right next to League of Legends. Thanks to regular premier tournaments and new updates, the game still lives on despite a somewhat disgruntled fanbase.
3. Hearthstone
The popular card game based on Warcraft has a dedicated following. While the esports scene isn’t quite as big as LoL or CS: GO, Hearthstone still attracts plenty of players. The growth this month might be explained by the ongoing HCT Fall Championship, where players get free packs for picking their favorites.
2. Fortnite
It’s no surprise that Fortnite is right up near the top. Despite only being out for a little over a year, it’s amassed an enormous following, especially thanks to the fact it’s available on every console (and smartphone) for free! Season 6 has kept Fortnite growing, and it’ll only grow more in the future if the updates keep up.
1. League of Legends
The most popular esports title is still one of the most popular PC games in the world by far. Regular updates keep the game fresh, and constant tournaments such as Worlds 2018 keep fans interested in the scene.