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Alinea Analytics
The analysis identifies the five most wishlisted games on Steam for 2025, highlighting the correlation between high pre-launch wishlist counts and successful commercial performance. The findings emphasize that while wishlists do not guarantee sales, they serve as a reliable indicator of market interest and potential conversion rates. Data from the first half of the year suggests that games exceeding 500,000 wishlists at launch achieve significantly higher conversion rates, with performance improving over time as 19% of wishlisters convert to buyers on day one, rising to 32% after one month.
Hollow Knight: Silksong leads the list with 4.8 million wishlists, followed by Battlefield 6 with 2.8 million, ARC Raiders with 2.5 million, Dying Light: The Beast with 2.3 million, and Borderlands 4 with 1.8 million. The report notes that these titles represent a diverse mix of indie sequels, established shooters, and new intellectual properties. Geographic data for the top-ranked title indicates a global reach, with the United States and China serving as the primary markets, accounting for 20% and 15% of wishlists, respectively.
The methodology relies on proprietary platform analytics to estimate Steam engagement and sales metrics. The analysis underscores that developers who maintain high visibility and community engagement—even through sporadic updates or strategic marketing—can sustain long-term anticipation. By examining these specific titles, the findings illustrate how developers leverage pre-launch interest to build momentum, with some titles successfully transitioning from planned downloadable content to standalone releases to capture broader audiences.
The Game Business · 2026