Figuring out which game is the most popular in the world is a difficult task, as most companies want to achieve this position with popular games, but they usually do not disclose specific numbers.
As a rule, only spikes in the number of users during events, the total number of registered accounts and other data are detected, which resembles an apples-to-oranges comparison.
However, it is still possible to make a rough estimate to try and figure out which game is played the most in the world. The popular game Minecraft tops the list not only because of its popularity, but also because it is widely played in China, where it is distributed for free. After all, China has almost 1.4 billion inhabitants - for comparison, Brazil has 211 million.
Mobile games like Pokémon Go and Subway Surfers have been downloaded more than 1 billion times, but that doesn't necessarily mean all users are still playing them. Check out the available free games and other features here.
What is the most played game in the world?
1. Minecraft
The blocky world of Minecraft has become the most popular game in the world, but since its first appearance in 2009, it has already been a phenomenon with an unusual purchase model in which users bought the unfinished game and were entitled to all future updates, which is an important factor. so that it became one of the best-selling games in the world.
Packed with concepts of survival, crafting, skeletons, zombies and creepers, the game has become one of the best adventures in the gaming industry.
The game recently reached the goal of 200 million units sold across a wide variety of platforms such as PC, Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, Android, iPhone and others, with Microsoft saying that 126 million players still access the game every month.
The numbers are even more impressive when you consider the success of the game in China, where it is distributed for free and has more than 400 million users.
2. Pokémon Go
The augmented reality pocket monster game was bigger at the time of its launch, but it is still one of the popular games today.
Before the pandemic, users would go around with their smartphones and shoot the little creatures that appeared on the map to try to add to their collection and train them for battles.
Developer Niantic last released its user count in 2018, when the game averaged 147 million monthly users.
Because the game required being outdoors, it was thought that the pandemic would slow down Pokémon Go, but several adaptations were made to allow it to be played from the comfort of your home. Check also: Betting systems and methods in casino games
In March 2020, the game reached a new profit peak, despite the lack of data on the number of released users.
3. PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds
The predecessor of the Battle Royale genre, PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (or simply PUBG) was a game that popularized the idea of playing with 100 people on a large map and without equipment.
After landing, players must face the tension of not knowing where their opponents are or what equipment they have.
The genre was created by Brendan Greene, "PlayerUnknown", for the game H1Z1 until he created his own version of the game. In addition to PC, PUBG can be played on consoles. On Xbox, it is part of the Xbox Game Pass subscription service catalog.
China has more than 70 million users, but there the game is known as "Game for Peace," a less violent version where enemies don't die, they just wave goodbye when they're killed, as if it were a paintball match.
In 2020, it was this game that brought in the most revenue - 2.6 billion US dollars. These numbers seem to have dwindled recently as PUBG was banned in India, one of its biggest markets, due to violence.
4. Free Fire
In the second quarter of 2020, the popular battle royale game Garena reached the impressive milestone of 100 million online players thanks to a number of strategies. Free Fire has had very targeted marketing in Asia and South America, even becoming a huge phenomenon in Brazil, with school notebooks and more.
This focus on specific markets has allowed the game to gain a lot of users even compared to other more famous battle royale games, and in 2020 Free Fire became the most downloaded mobile game on Google Play and the App Store.
5. Roblox
Slightly outside of the world of brutal shooters, Roblox has become a new force among young gamers. The game allows users to create their own adventures and play the journeys created by others in a symbiotic relationship of creativity and fun.
Available for PC, Xbox, Android and iPhone, the game has already peaked at 30 million active users. Check out our complete guide to Roblox and learn how to earn free Robux with it!