How many People Play Apex Legends Legends?

Apex Legends, the brainchild of Respawn Entertainment, catapulted itself to prominence in the fiercely competitive world of battle royale games when it was introduced in 2019. Seamlessly merging intense gameplay with unique Legends—each bearing distinct abilities—it swiftly carved a niche for itself, challenging stalwarts like Fortnite, Overwatch 2, and the later-introduced Warzone 2. In this blog post, we'll unravel the data behind its player counts and delve into what the numbers might suggest about its present and future trajectory.

Context & Background

Each season of Apex Legends brings a fresh wave of content, updates, and balancing acts, a cadence that has, so far, kept players eagerly returning for more. Season 18, in particular, heralded the arrival of the "Revenant Reborn" update, a clear nod to refining existing characters while adding spice to the gameplay. The season also introduced notable ranking changes designed to offer a fairer, more competitive landscape for players ranging from rookies to seasoned professionals. Weapons and Legends weren't left untouched either; buffs, nerfs, and tweaks were rolled out in a bid to maintain equilibrium in the arena.

However, it's crucial to note that while Season 18 came bearing a plethora of gifts, the shadow of Season 17 still looms large. Financially, Season 17 didn't meet the benchmark set by its predecessors, a hiccup in the otherwise consistent upward trajectory of the game's success. Yet, despite these challenges, Apex Legends has showcased resilience. As competitors forge ahead, Apex Legends continues to ensure its spot in the limelight, but the question remains: has it been successful in retaining its massive player base? To answer that, we'll need to dive deep into the numbers, which we'll explore in the following sections.

Player Count & Game Statistics

Diving straight into the heart of the matter, the numbers for Apex Legends in its 18th season are indeed compelling. The game boasts an impressive figure of over 130 million total players since its inception. It isn't just a testament to its launch success but a clear indicator of its sustained appeal over the years.

According to Steamcharts, a reliable source for game statistics on the Steam platform, an average of 166,199 players indulged in Apex Legends daily. This number, while impressive, skyrocketed a day after the launch of Season 18, recording a peak of 451,223 players. Such a surge underscores the anticipation and enthusiasm surrounding the new season's offerings.

Historical Perspective

To truly appreciate the current player counts, it's essential to take a look back at the game's performance in preceding seasons. Let's take a trip down memory lane:

• Season 14: This season was nothing short of a marvel for Apex Legends. On August 10, 2022, the game achieved its then-highest concurrent player count on Steam, amassing an astonishing 510,286 players. This record indicated that even years after its launch, the game was far from reaching its zenith.
• Season 15: While still boasting impressive numbers, there was a noticeable dip. The peak concurrent player count settled at 413,670—a reduction of close to 100,000 players from the previous season. It prompted some fans to question whether the game was beginning to lose its momentum.
• Season 16: In an exhilarating turn of events, Apex Legends shattered its own records. The highest player count skyrocketed to 624,473, marking an increase of over 114,000 from Season 14's peak. This season proved that, while there might be ebb and flow in interest, the game's appeal was far from waning.
• Season 17: The numbers took a slight dip again, with the peak player count dropping to 584,294. While still a commendable number, it raised questions about the game's sustainability, especially considering the financial underperformance of this season.

Drawing from this historical data, it's evident that Apex Legends, like any long-standing popular title, experiences fluctuations in its player base. Yet, its ability to rebound and the consistently high numbers speak volumes about its ingrained popularity in the gaming community.

External Data & Platform Insights

While the Steam platform offers a significant glimpse into Apex Legends' player statistics, it's just one piece of the broader gaming ecosystem puzzle. There's a multitude of players accessing the game via other platforms, and to truly grasp the entirety of the player base, we must cast our net wider.

Activeplayers.io, a resource that aggregates game activity across various platforms, provides a holistic view of Apex Legends' player engagement. According to their data, the game has consistently maintained an average of 2.2 million daily players over the past month of 2023. This stat underscores the fact that, while Steam numbers are impressive, the total player engagement across all platforms is nothing short of phenomenal. This multi-platform appeal of Apex Legends speaks volumes about its adaptability and wide-reaching audience base, from console gamers to PC enthusiasts.

Twitch Viewership & Community Engagement

One cannot discuss the popularity of a game in this era without considering its footprint on streaming platforms, with Twitch being the frontrunner. Apex Legends has always enjoyed a prominent position on Twitch, hovering consistently within the top echelons of the charts.

A quick dive into TwitchTracker.com reveals that Apex Legends currently holds its ground as the 10th most-watched game on the platform, garnering an average of 49,937 viewers over the past seven days. But let's not forget the monumental peak of 674,000 viewers back on its launch day in February 2019—a testament to its explosive debut and continued relevance.

Moreover, the Twitch community around Apex Legends isn't just about passive viewership. The interaction between streamers and their audiences, the community-driven events, and the collaborative nature of content creators has solidified its position as more than just a game—it's a spectacle, a shared experience that continues to foster a tight-knit and engaged community.

Is Apex Legends 'dying'?

Given the cyclical nature of game popularity and the rise and fall of player counts, a recurring question emerges: Is Apex Legends on the decline? While fluctuations in numbers can lead to speculations and naysayers predicting a game's demise, the holistic data tells a different story.

To state it upfront, Apex Legends is far from 'dying.' Player count fluctuations are natural for any title, especially ones that have been in the limelight for several years. Looking at the broader picture, even with the dips in specific seasons, the game has consistently maintained a significant player base, which is a testament to its lasting appeal.

Moreover, the term 'dying' isn't just about numbers. It's about community engagement, relevance in the gaming culture, updates, events, and player feedback. By these measures, Apex Legends is thriving, with its pulse firmly embedded in the gaming community's zeitgeist.

The Importance of Consistent Updates & Community Engagement

One cannot stress enough the role of regular updates and active community involvement in sustaining a game's popularity. Apex Legends stands as a testament to this fact.

Consistent updates mean that the gameplay remains dynamic, preventing stagnation. With each update, players are presented with new challenges, mechanics, and a refreshed environment, keeping the experience novel. The introduction of new Legends, balance changes, map alterations, and events ensures that the meta is always evolving, providing both casual and competitive players a reason to return and engage.

But beyond the technical and content-based updates, what truly drives the success of Apex Legends is its dedication to its community. Respawn Entertainment, the developer behind the title, has shown time and time again their commitment to listening to player feedback. This two-way dialogue has fostered a sense of ownership and involvement among players, ensuring that they are not just passive participants but active stakeholders in the game's trajectory.

Community events, collaborations with content creators, and direct developer-to-player communication channels have reinforced the bond between the game and its audience. It's this symbiotic relationship, where both the developers and the community play pivotal roles in shaping the game's direction, that underscores the longevity and resilience of Apex Legends in the face of stiff competition.

Conclusion

As the sun sets on Season 18 of Apex Legends, it becomes evident that the game's journey isn't merely about numbers, peaks, and troughs. It's a narrative of resilience, adaptation, and unwavering community dedication. Amidst an ever-evolving gaming landscape, where titles rise and fade with alarming rapidity, Apex Legends stands as a beacon of sustained engagement. Its ability to consistently reinvent, listen, and engage with its player base showcases a blueprint for lasting relevance in the gaming industry.

While no game can claim eternal popularity, with its current trajectory and the passionate community behind it, Apex Legends shows no signs of relinquishing its hold on the gaming world's spotlight. As players eagerly anticipate what future seasons might bring, one thing remains clear: the legend of Apex is far from reaching its final chapter.