The highly anticipated sci-fi exploration game, Starfield, launched with much fanfare as Bethesda’s biggest game release to date. However, just two months after its release, it has been overshadowed by the 12-year-old Skyrim on Steam. This unexpected turn of events raises questions about the staying power of Starfield and the enduring appeal of Skyrim.
Steam Player Count and Rankings
As of November 13th, Skyrim’s Special Edition surpassed Starfield’s player count on Steam, with 12,705 players exploring Tamriel compared to 12,334 players venturing through the galaxies. The rankings have been closely contested in recent weeks, with only a few hundred players separating the two games. While these numbers may suggest Skyrim’s victory, it is crucial to consider other factors that may influence the overall player base.
Although Steam serves as a prominent platform for gaming, it is important to remember that Starfield is also available on PC Game Pass. The Xbox Game Pass version of Starfield achieved significant success, with over a million players within a few days of its release. In contrast, there were approximately 300,000 concurrent Steam players during the same period. Therefore, it is highly likely that Starfield has a larger player base beyond Steam alone. Bethesda itself claimed that six million players engaged with Starfield within a day of its full release – a remarkable feat that solidifies its status as the biggest Bethesda game launch ever.
Skyrim’s Special Edition is not limited to Steam either; it is also available on PC Game Pass. This implies that a similar battle for player attention might be occurring on the Game Pass platform. Unfortunately, without access to the Game Pass statistics, we cannot definitively determine the game’s performance there. Nevertheless, the availability of Skyrim in various versions, including the regular release and Skyrim VR, potentially contributes to its popularity. Despite their lower player counts, these additional versions offer a diverse array of experiences to fans and remain part of Skyrim’s enduring appeal.
One striking observation from this battle for player attention is the rapid decline experienced by Starfield. Within just two months of its release, it slipped below the player count of Skyrim, a game that has been out for over a decade. At the time of Skyrim’s original release in 2011, the peak concurrent player count was around 290,000, and it took almost seven years for that number to dip below 20,000. In contrast, Starfield’s impressive launch seems to have lost momentum relatively quickly.
Despite Starfield’s initial setback, it has since reclaimed its position above Skyrim on Steam. However, the competition for player attention between the two games remains fierce. With only a few hundred players separating them, it is uncertain which game will ultimately prevail.
The recent turn of events involving Starfield and Skyrim highlights the unpredictable nature of the gaming industry. Even with a highly anticipated and visually stunning release like Starfield, it is no guarantee of long-term success. The enduring appeal of Skyrim demonstrates the power of a well-crafted and beloved game that has stood the test of time. Only time will tell whether Starfield can regain its initial momentum and secure a lasting place in the hearts and gaming libraries of players worldwide.
Leave a Reply