Once Human Attracts Record Audience

NetEase's post-apocalyptic survival game, Once Human, achieved a remarkable 230,000 peak concurrent players on Steam upon its PC debut, securing a top-seven spot in sales and a top-five position in most-played games. The game, also slated for mobile release in September, has already announced exciting upcoming updates.

These updates 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. Once Human, set in a world grappling with the aftermath of a catastrophic event and resulting supernatural occurrences, is one of NetEase's most anticipated titles.

Interestingly, despite its successful PC launch, NetEase has delayed the mobile release, although it remains scheduled for September. Despite this delay, the game continues to perform strongly, holding its position among the top sellers and most-played games.

A Cause for Concern? The 230,000 player count represents a peak number. Average player numbers could be significantly lower. This initial drop-off from the peak, especially considering the game's initial Steam wishlist count of over 300,000, might raise concerns for NetEase.

While NetEase is a mobile gaming giant, its shift towards the PC market is ambitious. Although Once Human boasts impressive visuals and gameplay, a rapid shift in primary audience may prove challenging.

Nevertheless, the mobile release of Once Human is highly anticipated. In the meantime, explore our curated lists of the best and most anticipated mobile games of 2024 for alternative gaming options.