Once Human sits pretty at 230,000 peak player count, but it\'s still a long way out from mobile

NetEase's post-apocalyptic survival game, Once Human, launched on PC with a peak concurrent player count of 230,000 on Steam, securing a seventh-place spot in top sellers and fifth in most-played games. While this is impressive, the use of "peak" suggests the average player count may be lower, raising concerns about potential player drop-off. This is especially noteworthy given the game's initial Steam wishlist count of under 300,000.

The game, slated for a mobile release in September, has already announced upcoming updates including a PvP mode pitting the Mayflies and Rosetta factions against each other, and a new PvE area in a northern mountain region with fresh enemies and challenges. Once Human, set in a world ravaged by a catastrophic event leading to supernatural occurrences, is a highly anticipated title from NetEase.

Interestingly, despite its seemingly successful PC launch, NetEase has delayed the mobile release, still aiming for a September launch. Despite this delay, the game maintains its strong position on Steam's top seller and most-played lists.

A Cause for Concern? The significant difference between the peak player count and the initial wishlist numbers warrants attention. This initial player drop-off might indicate challenges for NetEase, a company primarily known for mobile games, in transitioning its audience to the PC market. While Once Human boasts impressive graphics and gameplay, a rapid shift in primary audience might prove difficult.

Nevertheless, the mobile release of Once Human remains highly anticipated. In the meantime, check out our list of the best mobile games of 2024 (so far) and the most anticipated mobile games of the year for other gaming options.