Most Played Games: Consoles Dominated by Live Service While Steam Offers Diversity

According to data released by Circana analyst Mat Piscatella, Fortnite, Roblox, Call of Duty, and Grand Theft Auto V continue to dominate most-played lists across PlayStation and Xbox consoles, while PC gaming via Steam maintains a more diverse landscape of active titles.

Console Engagement and Top Franchises on PlayStation and Xbox

Player metrics tracked by Circana show that massive live-service games and yearly sports franchises hold the top positions on both major console platforms. According to Piscatella’s published figures, Fortnite occupies the number one position on both PlayStation and Xbox.

Following the top spot, both consoles share an extraordinarily similar roster of heavily played titles. The top tier features Roblox, Call of Duty, GTA V, Marvel Rivals, Rainbow Six Siege, and NBA 2K26. Expanding the scope to the top 20 most-played games reveals continued dominance by established industry mainstays, including Battlefield 6, Apex Legends, Rocket League, Dead by Daylight, EA Sports FC 26, and Madden NFL 26.

Platform-specific variances remain relatively minor within the top tier. Xbox charts feature unique placements for Minecraft, Forza Horizon 6, and Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced, alongside the independent horror title Shift at Midnight as its sole recent release breaking into the top 20. PlayStation shows a higher concentration of activity around Call of Duty and EA Sports College Football 27, with the Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls beta marking its only prominent recent arrival.

Steam Market Diversity and PC Gaming Trends

In contrast to the consolidated console ecosystems, Valve’s Steam platform presents a fragmented and highly varied player base. While Fortnite is unavailable on PC via Steam, the platform’s most-played lists highlight a wider variety of experiences, incorporating titles like Meccha Chameleon and Slay the Spire 2.

Steam metrics also capture high player counts for games absent from the top 20 console rankings, such as Helldivers 2 and Destiny 2. Additionally, Valve’s MOBA-style shooter Deadlock maintains a prominent position near the top of the platform’s activity charts despite remaining restricted to a closed, invitation-only beta.

Data indicates a distinct structural divide in player behavior. While console ecosystems concentrate player hours into massive, multi-year franchises and live-service operations, PC platforms foster a broader distribution of active titles and new releases.