Valve Releases Steam Statistics for 2018

[cageymaru]

Today, Valve released a Steam statistics overview for 2018. The most interesting stat is the 47 million active daily visitors that Steam averages per day. On a monthly basis, Steam averages 90 million active users with 1.6 million new purchasers per month. The peak concurrent users at one time in 2018 was 18.5 million! Valve goes over how its player base has changed over the years with the large influx of users from Asia in 2018. The statistics show the number of controller owners on the Steam platform and how much data has been delivered by Steam over the years. The article discusses the various currencies that Steam supports, new SteamWorks features, and more features coming to Steam in 2019!

Store Discoverability: We're working on a new recommendation engine powered by machine-learning, that can match players to games based on their individual tastes. Algorithms are only a part of our discoverability solution, however, so we're building more broadcasting and curating features and are constantly assessing the overall design of the store. Steam China: We've partnered with Perfect World to bring Steam onshore into China. We'll reveal more details about this in the coming months. Steam Library Update: Some long awaited changes to the Steam Client will ship, including a reworked Steam Library, built on top of the technology we shipped in Steam Chat.

 

[Staples]

Perhaps the only thing I will miss as games move to other stores/platforms is that those platforms do not publish statistics.

I'd love if Blizzard player statistics.

 

[Flogger23m]

Translation: See how good we are. Keep selling your games on our platform!

That being said the Steam Library update has me worried. It works pretty good as it is now. I don't see how it can get better. I hope for the best but feel it will lean more towards a bloated, phone style feel. Please don't screw it up Valve!

 

[BloodyIron]

Steam Play has been a game changer. I'm loving it!

 

[Aireoth]

I have disliked most of the recent steam UI changes.

 

[Zarathustra[H]]

I'm surprised how many people use controllers on PC.

It says over 30M here. It is unclear what the exact figure is, and over what time period it is, but if we assume it is over the same time period as the 90M monthly users figure we are talking more than a third. That's really shocking to me. I've never known anyone to hook up a controller to a PC. To me the PC experience is so superior in large part BECAUSE of the mouse and keyboard, and I would never take that step backwards.

 

[TMCM]

I use both kb/m and 360 controllers just depends on the game

 

[Aireoth]

I'm surprised how many people use controllers on PC.

View attachment 135078

It says over 30M here. It is unclear what the exact figure is, and over what time period it is, but if we assume it is over the same time period as the 90M monthly users figure we are talking more than a third. That's really shocking to me. I've never known anyone to hook up a controller to a PC. To me the PC experience is so superior in large part BECAUSE of the mouse and keyboard, and I would never take that step backwards.

Some games are better with a controller, mainly 3rd person fanatasy titles (Witcher 3, AC series come to mind). Witcher has a fantastic combat mod that makes it much better on kb/mouse.

 

[joobjoob]

Don't be a statistic.

I use xbox one controller for 100% of my steam gaming. Can't stand the running in mud feeling from the 20-30fps of console.

My gaming rig is no longer at a desk. It's in the closet and runs a 75ft fiber hdmi to the TV above the fireplace. I greatly prefer mouse gaming but Lazboy/couch gaming just doesn't adapt well to a mouse. Xbox one controller works great.

Tldr:
Console controller > CC and console fps

 

[Bigshrimp]

Most games that are made for consoles are also good with controllers.

 

[Flogger23m]

I'm surprised how many people use controllers on PC.

View attachment 135078

It says over 30M here. It is unclear what the exact figure is, and over what time period it is, but if we assume it is over the same time period as the 90M monthly users figure we are talking more than a third. That's really shocking to me. I've never known anyone to hook up a controller to a PC. To me the PC experience is so superior in large part BECAUSE of the mouse and keyboard, and I would never take that step backwards.

Controllers are superior for many genres. The reason the PC is superior is because you can use a wide variety of peripherals. Consoles do have HOTAS and racing wheels but PC support is better for those. And flawless controller support and flawless mouse/keyboard. Don't limit yourself, use the best peripheral for the task.

 

[M76]

Some games are better with a controller, mainly 3rd person fanatasy titles (Witcher 3, AC series come to mind). Witcher has a fantastic combat mod that makes it much better on kb/mouse.

Better for you maybe, I hate em. I wish I could just connect a keyboard / mouse to the PS4 ,and never see that junk ever again. It drives me up the wall. And I fear one day I'll just throw it at the screen being wireless and handheld.

 

[M76]

I'm surprised how many people use controllers on PC.

View attachment 135078

It says over 30M here. It is unclear what the exact figure is, and over what time period it is, but if we assume it is over the same time period as the 90M monthly users figure we are talking more than a third. That's really shocking to me. I've never known anyone to hook up a controller to a PC. To me the PC experience is so superior in large part BECAUSE of the mouse and keyboard, and I would never take that step backwards.

I think it should be interpreted as ever connected a controller, if only for 1 minute in the entire year. Even I did it, because GIMX emulation on PS4 only works if I connect the PS4 controller to the PC. Since steam is running all the time it probably counted that as well.

 

[Brian_B]

I have a 360 controller on my PC. I use it maybe once a year.

But i’ll Be damned if I’m going to go to the hassle of unplugging it!

 

[Mazzspeed]

I'm surprised how many people use controllers on PC.

View attachment 135078

It says over 30M here. It is unclear what the exact figure is, and over what time period it is, but if we assume it is over the same time period as the 90M monthly users figure we are talking more than a third. That's really shocking to me. I've never known anyone to hook up a controller to a PC. To me the PC experience is so superior in large part BECAUSE of the mouse and keyboard, and I would never take that step backwards.

I don't mind platform games and have a few titles that run better using a proper controller as opposed to a KB/Mouse, I even find Rocket League better with a controller.

I use the wired Xbox 360 controller and find it faultless under Linux.

 

[Bawjaws]

I'm surprised how many people use controllers on PC.

View attachment 135078

It says over 30M here. It is unclear what the exact figure is, and over what time period it is, but if we assume it is over the same time period as the 90M monthly users figure we are talking more than a third. That's really shocking to me. I've never known anyone to hook up a controller to a PC. To me the PC experience is so superior in large part BECAUSE of the mouse and keyboard, and I would never take that step backwards.

Some games are just better experiences using a controller, and some are better using a mouse & keyboard. One of the great things about PC gaming is that we get to choose what control method to use for a particular game.

I'm not going to use a controller to play Doom or Stellaris, but I will use one to play Ori & the Blind Forest, for example. It's about picking the best tool for the job.

 

[Dodge245]

Better for you maybe, I hate em. I wish I could just connect a keyboard / mouse to the PS4 ,and never see that junk ever again. It drives me up the wall. And I fear one day I'll just throw it at the screen being wireless and handheld.

Im not sure why this would be the case, and i realise i could be feeding a troll here, but giving you the benefit of the doubt, do you only play FPS games? fighting, racing, 2D platform are all better with a controller.

I have:

1x joystick (flying sims/games / space x2, x3 etc )
2x 360 controllers ( used with steam link with friends)
1x xbox one wireless controller (my main controller for things like dead cells )
1x PS4 controller (used with steam link, same as the 360 controllers)
1x Steering Wheel/ Pedals (for racing duh! )

for FPS, third person, RTS etc Keyboard and Mouse definitely.


P.S

4 friends with controllers, steam link, playing Tricky Towers / overcooked / move or die etc is awesome on the PC.

 

[THRESHIN]

Anyone else used the initial releases of steam? It had no games to buy. It was a replacement for the old won.net multiplayer browser in HL1, CS, TFC, etc. It was also so buggy it was laughed at. Everyone (including myself) went back to the built in won.net.

Come a long way since then.

 

[Hakaba]

Depends on the game.

RTS - M/KB
3rd Person Adventure - Xbone
FPS - M/KB
Racing - Wheel/Pedals
Flight/Space Sim - Dual Stick/Pedals

 

[T4rd]

I'm surprised how many people use controllers on PC.

View attachment 135078

It says over 30M here. It is unclear what the exact figure is, and over what time period it is, but if we assume it is over the same time period as the 90M monthly users figure we are talking more than a third. That's really shocking to me. I've never known anyone to hook up a controller to a PC. To me the PC experience is so superior in large part BECAUSE of the mouse and keyboard, and I would never take that step backwards.

KB&M is only good for FPS, RTS, and third person shooters IMO. For most other 3rd person, platforming/adventure/action, and racing type games, I much prefer a controller. It seems by the stats there that most other people do as well for games that don't blatantly benefit from KB&M.

Oh damn, I just noticed your name too and remembered you posting this PCMR-like post, so I guess not too surprising coming from you considering you don't like most games in the first place.

 

[Aireoth]

Better for you maybe, I hate em. I wish I could just connect a keyboard / mouse to the PS4 ,and never see that junk ever again. It drives me up the wall. And I fear one day I'll just throw it at the screen being wireless and handheld.

Might explain the trouble you where having with AC:O?

KB/M is superior but in a world where 3rd person open world games are designed with contextual combat buttons (thank you Batman: Arkham series) KB/M is more difficult to operate than a Controller. That Witcher Mod removes a lot of the contextual parts and replaces them with a free aim almost floating system that works with KB/M but is impossible on Controller.

 

[M76]

Im not sure why this would be the case, and i realise i could be feeding a troll here, but giving you the benefit of the doubt, do you only play FPS games? fighting, racing, 2D platform are all better with a controller.

I have:

1x joystick (flying sims/games / space x2, x3 etc )
2x 360 controllers ( used with steam link with friends)
1x xbox one wireless controller (my main controller for things like dead cells )
1x PS4 controller (used with steam link, same as the 360 controllers)
1x Steering Wheel/ Pedals (for racing duh! )

for FPS, third person, RTS etc Keyboard and Mouse definitely.


P.S

4 friends with controllers, steam link, playing Tricky Towers / overcooked / move or die etc is awesome on the PC.

I'd never play any FPS with a controller. Even TPS games are extremely hard, close to impossible. I usually put difficulty on easy and still struggle with games like HZD, Uncharted, or TLOU, because of the damned controller.

The only games where the controller isn't an issue are games where there is no real action. Like Quantic Dream games. Or the exploration part of LA Noire, but even that fell apart because it has TPS segments.

I have a wheel for racing games, games that doesn't have wheel support I laugh at and move on. Also have a joystick for flying games.

Almost every type of game has an equally good or far superior way of controlling them, except for fighting games. Now the hours I've spent with fighting games in the past 5 years I can count on my hands.

So to sum up, what are controllers good for?

Fighting games: Controller
Racing / simulation games: Wheel
Shooters: Mouse + KB
Platformers: Could go either way but I prefer KB over controller
Strategy games: Mouse
Flying / space sims: Joystick
Walking simulators, again could go either way, but it's definitely no worse to play with KB+Mouse
Point and click games: OK, I'm just trolling.

But really the controller is a one size fits all device that isn't very good for anything except for fighting games.

And yes I know the argument that there are players out there who can beat me easily playing with a controller in a shooter. So what? There are also people out there who can ride a monocycle better than I ride a bicycle, but I still prefer the bicycle.

 

[4saken]

Might explain the trouble you where having with AC:O?

KB/M is superior but in a world where 3rd person open world games are designed with contextual combat buttons (thank you Batman: Arkham series) KB/M is more difficult to operate than a Controller. That Witcher Mod removes a lot of the contextual parts and replaces them with a free aim almost floating system that works with KB/M but is impossible on Controller.

Can't imagine playing arcade racers(wheel for sims) or fighting games with a KB/M. Plenty of games i use controllers for on PC and that just work better imo. Obviously not FPS, 3rd person games, etc.

 

[Armenius]

I'd never play any FPS with a controller. Even TPS games are extremely hard, close to impossible. I usually put difficulty on easy and still struggle with games like HZD, Uncharted, or TLOU, because of the damned controller.

The only games where the controller isn't an issue are games where there is no real action. Like Quantic Dream games. Or the exploration part of LA Noire, but even that fell apart because it has TPS segments.

I have a wheel for racing games, games that doesn't have wheel support I laugh at and move on. Also have a joystick for flying games.

Almost every type of game has an equally good or far superior way of controlling them, except for fighting games. Now the hours I've spent with fighting games in the past 5 years I can count on my hands.

So to sum up, what are controllers good for?

Fighting games: Controller
Racing / simulation games: Wheel
Shooters: Mouse + KB
Platformers: Could go either way but I prefer KB over controller
Strategy games: Mouse
Flying / space sims: Joystick
Walking simulators, again could go either way, but it's definitely no worse to play with KB+Mouse
Point and click games: OK, I'm just trolling.

But really the controller is a one size fits all device that isn't very good for anything except for fighting games.

And yes I know the argument that there are players out there who can beat me easily playing with a controller in a shooter. So what? There are also people out there who can ride a monocycle better than I ride a bicycle, but I still prefer the bicycle.

I tend to agree. Really the only games I play with a controller are the Batman and Souls games. I'm having a hard time thinking of others.

 

[Zarathustra[H]]

I don't mind platform games and have a few titles that run better using a proper controller as opposed to a KB/Mouse, I even find Rocket League better with a controller.

I use the wired Xbox 360 controller and find it faultless under Linux.

Fair. Controllers are ideally suited for platformers.

I just haven't played many of those since ~1991 when I got my first PC.

In fact, since the 3D revolution starting with 3DFX releasing the Voodoo1, I don't think I've played even a single title that wasn't either an FPS or Sid Meier's Civilization

I did play the Fallout series, but I stayed in First Person mode the entire time I did (except for that one time I accidentally switched the camera and spent a few minutes trying to figure out what key was bound to switch it back)

To me the PC is primarily an FPS platform. Except for Civilization, nothing else matters to me.

 

[raz-0]

I'm surprised how many people use controllers on PC.

View attachment 135078

It says over 30M here. It is unclear what the exact figure is, and over what time period it is, but if we assume it is over the same time period as the 90M monthly users figure we are talking more than a third. That's really shocking to me. I've never known anyone to hook up a controller to a PC. To me the PC experience is so superior in large part BECAUSE of the mouse and keyboard, and I would never take that step backwards.

You must not play a wide variety of games then. KB+M rules for FPS and even third person stuff, but platformers, beat em ups, driving games, flight sims, etc. not so much. Also, some games that SHOULD be great with KB+M in this day of digital storefronts on all platforms, sometimes play better with a controller strictly due to sharing a common UI/UX design that is sub par for KB+M. They can still be funa dn are often cheap as hell on PC AND work on less than beefy laptops.

 

[Zarathustra[H]]

You must not play a wide variety of games then. KB+M rules for FPS and even third person stuff, but platformers, beat em ups, driving games, flight sims, etc. not so much. Also, some games that SHOULD be great with KB+M in this day of digital storefronts on all platforms, sometimes play better with a controller strictly due to sharing a common UI/UX design that is sub par for KB+M. They can still be funa dn are often cheap as hell on PC AND work on less than beefy laptops.

Yeah, I think I covered that a few posts back.

I can count the non-FPS games I've played on my rig since the start of the 3D era with the launch of the Voodoo1 in 1996 on one hand, and most of those are Sid Meier's Civilization.

I tend to view PC Gaming and FPS as more or less the same thing.

 

[Nolan7689]

Yeah, I think I covered that a few posts back.

I can count the non-FPS games I've played on my rig since the start of the 3D era with the launch of the Voodoo1 in 1996 on one hand, and most of those are Sid Meier's Civilization.

I tend to view PC Gaming and FPS as more or less the same thing.

Ya really earn that title.

 

[liliff]

There are a couple of PC ports that have awful keyboard support and really need a controller.

Steam Play has been a game changer. I'm loving it!

I'm surprised at how well it works for Nier:Automata, but there are still a bunch of games in my library that just don't work (I didn't really pry but I think it probably has to do with the games using DX10). And then there's Battleye (so PUBG and friends are pretty much out).

 

[455olds]

I'm surprised how many people use controllers on PC.

View attachment 135078

It says over 30M here. It is unclear what the exact figure is, and over what time period it is, but if we assume it is over the same time period as the 90M monthly users figure we are talking more than a third. That's really shocking to me. I've never known anyone to hook up a controller to a PC. To me the PC experience is so superior in large part BECAUSE of the mouse and keyboard, and I would never take that step backwards.

 

[455olds]

Playing for long hours the controller is more ergonomic. I think it's better for driving too.

 

[BloodyIron]

The good thing about Steam Play is that since it's based around WINE, it will keep getting better. So eventually those games are anticipated to "just work"

There are a couple of PC ports that have awful keyboard support and really need a controller.


I'm surprised at how well it works for Nier:Automata, but there are still a bunch of games in my library that just don't work (I didn't really pry but I think it probably has to do with the games using DX10). And then there's Battleye (so PUBG and friends are pretty much out).

 

[liliff]

Yeah, I'm hoping that they'll create all the Vulkan mappings for DX10 (or however it works for DX12, I'm not too familiar but my cursory understanding is that DX11/DX12 APIs are basically translated to Vulkan's API, which makes it usable on Linux) and those games will eventually "just work."

But as far as I know/from what I've read, the Battleye anticheat stuff seems unlikely to be officially supported under WINE (I'm not sure I'd want to risk getting a false positive ban just by using WINE). https://github.com/ValveSoftware/Proton/issues/30

The good thing about Steam Play is that since it's based around WINE, it will keep getting better. So eventually those games are anticipated to "just work"

 

[BloodyIron]

There is some anti-cheat tech that does work in WINE, but from what I understand, adding anti-cheat tech to WINE is one of the harder things to do. So I usually just ignore games that use such ridiculousness.

Yeah, I'm hoping that they'll create all the Vulkan mappings for DX10 (or however it works for DX12, I'm not too familiar but my cursory understanding is that DX11/DX12 APIs are basically translated to Vulkan's API, which makes it usable on Linux) and those games will eventually "just work."

But as far as I know/from what I've read, the Battleye anticheat stuff seems unlikely to be officially supported under WINE (I'm not sure I'd want to risk getting a false positive ban just by using WINE). https://github.com/ValveSoftware/Proton/issues/30