What's Q1 2024 Got in Store on Steam?

The first quarter of 2024 is positioned as a high-density period for Steam releases, characterized by a "murderer’s row" of major titles that were delayed from late 2023. Analysis of Steam wishlist data reveals that 16 of the platform's top 100 most-wishlisted games are scheduled for release within the first 90 days of the year. In total, 47 upcoming Q1 titles possess at least 10,000 Steam followers, a metric typically correlating to over 100,000 wishlists, while approximately 100 games have surpassed the 3,000-follower threshold.

Market trends highlight a heavy concentration in third-person survival and action games, led by high-interest titles such as S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, Enshrouded, and Palworld. The quarter is also defined by significant franchise updates and sequels, including Dragon’s Dogma 2 and Homeworld 3. While the holiday period at the end of 2023 saw a lull in major new PC releases, the upcoming January schedule includes notable niche entries such as War Hospital and Momodora: Moonlit Farewell.

Beyond the PC market, console and VR performance data from the 2023 holiday season shows continued dominance by established hits. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III and Baldur’s Gate 3 remain top sellers on PlayStation and Xbox, while Asgard’s Wrath 2 led the Meta Quest charts, bolstered by its inclusion as a hardware bundle. On mobile and subscription platforms, NBA 2K24 Arcade Edition and Hello Kitty Island Adventure continue to lead Apple Arcade engagement. This data, compiled from various storefronts and proprietary tracking tools, suggests a highly competitive landscape for new entrants as the industry moves out of the quiet post-holiday window.