Black Myth: Wukong Shatters Steam Records as Crimson Desert Builds Hype for 2026
The gaming world has seen record-breaking numbers in recent months. Black Myth: Wukong smashed Steam's peak player record in August 2024, while Crimson Desert continues to build massive anticipation ahead of its March 2026 launch. The upcoming title has already surpassed 3 million wishlists, placing it among the most eagerly awaited releases of the year.
Black Myth: Wukong made history on 23 August 2024 by hitting 2.419 million simultaneous players on Steam. This figure surpassed previous records, including PUBG: Battlegrounds at 2.25 million in February 2025 and Monster Hunter Wilds at 1.789 million. The game's success was no surprise, given its 4 million wishlists before release.
Now, attention shifts to Crimson Desert, set to launch on 19 March 2026. The ambitious project promises a vast open world and deep gameplay, blending solo play with MMO-scale complexity. With over 3 million wishlists, it ranks sixth on Steam's most-wishlisted chart, outperforming titles like Forza Horizon 6 (2.6 million) and Subnautica 2 (3.8 million).
The game's release window is notably clear of major AAA competition, giving it a strong chance to dominate sales. Developers aim to attract a broad audience with its mix of solo and large-scale experiences, positioning it as one of 2026's biggest gaming events.
Crimson Desert enters the market with strong momentum, backed by high wishlist numbers and minimal direct competition. Its blend of open-world scale and deep mechanics could set new benchmarks for player engagement. The title's performance at launch will be closely watched after Black Myth: Wukong redefined Steam's peak player records.
