Destiny 2's Steam player base plummets to a record low in December 2024, averaging a mere 24,826.5 concurrent players. This marks a significant drop from November's average of 30,113.5 players, representing a 17% decrease. The peak player count also hit an all-time low of 39,764, surpassing even September 2024's previous low of 41,373. While December's figures aren't finalized, the trend suggests a continued decline.
This downturn follows the June 2024 launch of The Final Shape, which initially saw a massive surge exceeding 310,000 concurrent Steam players. However, this momentum failed to persist, despite the October release of Episode Revenant. The lack of sustained player engagement raises concerns about the game's future direction.
Several factors may contribute to this decline. Negative player feedback regarding Episode Revenant, including issues with non-craftable seasonal weapons, has likely played a role. Furthermore, significant technical problems during the 2024 Dawning event, such as glitched cookies and malfunctioning gun focusing, further alienated players. Additional bugs affecting Crucible and Episode Revenant's tonics also contributed to a less-than-optimal gameplay experience. The release of other highly-rated games in 2024 may have also diverted players' attention during the holiday season's content lull.
However, there's reason for optimism. The anticipated release of Episode Heresy and other major content updates in 2025 could potentially revitalize the player base and boost Steam player counts. The situation remains fluid, but the current statistics paint a concerning picture of Destiny 2's immediate future on Steam.