Fallout 76 has experienced a surge in popularity on Steam, hitting a record number of concurrent players since its release nearly six years ago. The multiplayer survival RPG reached 66,045 simultaneous players on the platform, surpassing its previous peak of around 40,000 players. While specific numbers for other platforms are unknown, with availability on Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass, the total concurrent player figure is likely more significant. This newfound interest in Fallout 76 is largely attributed to the successful launch of the Fallout series on Amazon Prime, which has received generally positive reviews and has already been confirmed for a second season. The show, which premiered on April 10th, seems to have sparked renewed interest in the game's universe.

Why is Fallout 76 seeing a resurgence in player numbers?

The increased player count for Fallout 76 is primarily due to the release of the Amazon Prime Fallout series. The show has generated fresh interest in the Fallout franchise, leading new and returning players to engage with the game on Steam and other platforms.

Fallout 76 was initially released in November 2018 as a prequel to the Fallout series. Developed by Bethesda Game Studios, it represented the company's first attempt at an online multiplayer title set in the post-apocalyptic world typically known for single-player experiences. Although the game's launch was met with significant criticism over numerous bugs, a lack of human NPCs, and a series of public relations missteps, Bethesda has continued to update and improve the game with new content and fixes. The support has gradually converted the game into a more favorable experience for players, which is now being further boosted by the successful Amazon Prime video series adaptation.