Top games according to playtime stats: PC, Xbox & PlayStation
TL;DR Only a handful of games took up most of players’ time in 2024, with around 10 titles making up half of all playtime on each major platform. Fortnite, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, and ROBLOX stood out as the only games to appear across all three platforms. That puts them at the centre … Continued The post Top games according to playtime stats: PC, Xbox & PlayStation appeared first on Esports Insider.
TL;DR
- Only a handful of games took up most of players’ time in 2024, with around 10 titles making up half of all playtime on each major platform.
- Fortnite, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, and ROBLOX stood out as the only games to appear across all three platforms. That puts them at the centre of the trending games 2024 was defined by.
- On PC, competitive games came out on top. CS2, VALORANT, and League of Legends led the way, while Minecraft and ROBLOX kept creative players engaged, capturing both sides of gaming trends 2024.
- PlayStation leaned into big-name hits. Fortnite, GTA V, and Call of Duty topped the list, while EA Sports FC 25 showed what trending games 2024 had to offer; fresh content with franchise loyalty.
- Xbox players preferred variety. From shooters like Call of Duty and Apex Legends to sports and sandbox games, the platform reflected the top trends in gaming – fast play, social features, and flexibility.
Not every hit in 2024 was a brand-new release. In fact, some of the most popular video games 2024 had to offer were familiar titles that players kept going back to, again and again.
Across PC, PlayStation, and Xbox, just a small group of games took up most of people’s playtime – long-time favourites that kept players hooked through fresh content, strong communities, and reliable gameplay.
So, which games actually topped the charts in 2024? Here’s what the data shows.
Most popular games in 2024
In 2024, just a small group of games accounted for a large proportion of playtime across every major platform. Whether people were playing on PC, PlayStation, or Xbox, they kept coming back to the same familiar titles – games they knew, loved, and spent hours with.
According to Newzoo’s Game Performance Monitor, about 10 games made up half of all playtime on each platform between 2021 and 2024. That trend stayed steady across four years, showing just how much a few titles can dominate the gaming space.
The monitor looks at data from 37 countries (excluding China and India), giving us a global picture of leading gaming trends in 2024.
PC: A core set of competitive and creative games that dominate
Between 2021 and 2024, PC players spent more than half their gaming time on just 9 to 12 titles each year – so the most popular games 2024 had to offer on PC came from a tight, consistent group.
The 12 most popular games in 2024 included both competitive and creative titles:
- CS2: Valve’s update to its iconic shooter brought new life to the franchise, keeping it at the top of competitive gaming charts.
- League of Legends: A longtime staple with a massive global player base and one of the strongest esports scenes in gaming.
- ROBLOX: A platform for user-generated games, especially popular with younger players and a key driver of current gaming trends.
- Dota 2: Still a go-to for strategy and competitive depth, with major global tournaments keeping engagement high.
- Fortnite: Continued to blend casual and competitive play, with constant content updates that kept players logging back in.
- Minecraft: Its creative sandbox format remained one of the most played globally, a defining title among the most popular video games 2024 offered.
- Call of Duty: Black Ops 6: The newest entry in the COD series, which pulled in both franchise fans and returning players.
- VALORANT: Riot’s tactical shooter kept climbing, especially with younger FPS players looking for something fresh but familiar.
- World of Warcraft: Remains popular after two decades, thanks to expansions and a dedicated MMO community.
- Sims 4: A top choice for single-player creativity, lifestyle simulation, and storytelling.
- Overwatch 2: After a rocky start, regular updates helped it reclaim space in team-based shooter territory.
- Escape From Tarkov: A gritty, hardcore survival shooter with strong community loyalty and rising popularity on streaming platforms.
PlayStation: A mix of blockbuster franchises and multiplayer staples
Between 2021 and 2024, PlayStation users spent over half their total gaming time on just eight to 10 titles each year. In 2024, that number held steady at nine.
The top trending games of the year on PlayStation leaned heavily on big-name franchises and online play:
- Fortnite: One of the most played titles on console, thanks to regular updates, crossovers, and a strong multiplayer loop.
- Call of Duty: Black Ops 6: A new entry that quickly became a go-to for PlayStation players, especially in competitive and co-op modes.
- EA Sports FC 24: The first year under the new branding didn’t slow down the franchise, with FUT and online seasons keeping engagement high.
- GTA V: Despite its age, it remained in the rotation thanks to GTA Online and a massive modding and roleplay scene.
- Apex Legends: Respawn’s battle royale continued to hold strong with console players, offering a faster-paced alternative to Warzone.
- Rainbow Six Siege: Tactical, team-based gameplay and constant balance patches kept this long-running title in the mix.
- ROBLOX: Its PlayStation debut opened the platform to a younger audience, and it quickly became one of the top 10 most popular video games 2024 offered on console.
- EA Sports FC 25: Released later in the year, it still saw enough engagement to break into the top nine, thanks to loyal fans and early FUT activity.
- NBA 2K24: MyCareer and online park modes helped keep it high on the charts, particularly in North America.
Xbox: A blend of shooters, sports, and sandbox staples
Between 2021 and 2024, Xbox players consistently spent more than half their total gaming time on just 11 to 14 titles each year. In 2024, that figure stood at 11.
The most popular games in 2024 on Xbox brought together a wide range of genres, from fast-paced shooters to open-world creativity and sports sims:
- Call of Duty: Black Ops 6: One of the most-played titles on Xbox in 2024, driven by its multiplayer depth and cross-platform appeal.
- Fortnite: Continued to be a top choice for Xbox users, combining casual fun with seasonal events, ranked play, and creative modes.
- ROBLOX: Its sandbox style and massive library of user-made games helped it hold strong, especially among younger players.
- Rainbow Six Siege: A consistent pick for fans of slower-paced, tactical shooters, with a dedicated player base that stuck around through 2024.
- EA Sports FC 24: A core title in Xbox’s sports lineup, with Ultimate Team and Career Mode keeping players engaged year-round.
- Minecraft: Still a major force on Xbox, and one of the most enduring trending video games of the last decade.
- GTA V: Its staying power on Xbox remained unmatched, thanks to GTA Online’s constant updates and a strong community around roleplay servers.
- Destiny 2: Continued to draw in players looking for long-form progression, co-op raids, and seasonal content.
- NBA 2K24: A reliable hit in North America, with MyCareer and multiplayer modes driving regular playtime.
- Rocket League: Its pick-up-and-play format and esports-lite feel made it a regular in Xbox households.
- Apex Legends: Still a fast-paced, squad-based shooter favourite on Xbox, offering a strong alternative to Warzone or Fortnite.
Conclusion
In 2024, players mostly stuck with the games they knew best. The most popular games in 2024 weren’t brand new – a lot of them were familiar titles that continued to deliver fresh content and keep people coming back.
These trending games brought together huge communities across platforms, whether through competition, creativity, or casual fun. Many also sat at the core of global esports in 2024, drawing massive viewership and shaping pro scenes from VALORANT to League of Legends. If the past few years are anything to go by, these same titles won’t be going anywhere anytime soon.
FAQs
While there’s no single ranked list, Fortnite, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, and ROBLOX were among the most popular games 2024 saw across PC, PlayStation, and Xbox, making them strong contenders for the year’s top-played titles.
Sales data isn’t always public, but Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 was likely one of the year’s top sellers. It also ranked high among the top trending games thanks to strong multiplayer and cross-platform appeal.
Some of the most trending games in 2024 included Fortnite, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, and ROBLOX. These titles reflect the top trends in gaming – competitive shooters, creative platforms, and massive online communities.
It’s early to say, but several of the top 10 most popular games 2024 had to offer – like Fortnite and Call of Duty – are still going strong in 2025, continuing to lead in live-service updates and shaping leading gaming trends.
References
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