On August 31, No Man’s Sky Steam surge reached over 93,000 concurrent players on Steam—the highest count since 2018. This uptick arrived after the Voyagers update, driving renewed interest in the game.

No Man’s Sky Steam surge explained

In late August 2025, the No Man’s Sky Steam surge began with the release of the Voyagers update (version 6.0). The update introduced customizable corvette-class ships with enterable interiors and cooperative features. Players could now build mobile bases in space, significantly boosting engagement.

Voyagers Patch Notes?
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Within 24 hours of the update’s release, the player count jumped from around 6,000–8,000 to over 29,000 concurrent users. In just a few more days, that figure surpassed 46,000, showing a rapid spike in player activity.

Breaking the seven-year streak with No Man’s Sky Steam surge

On August 31, the No Man’s Sky Steam surge peaked at over 93,000 concurrent players—the highest recorded since 2018. According to Steam Charts, the 24-hour peak reached 93,195, while the all-time record of approximately 212,000 occurred back in August 2016.

This recent resurgence contrasts sharply with July 2025, when the peak count reached only about 15,000 players. In August, the average monthly player base increased by 41%, climbing to over 13,000 players, a strong signal of regained momentum.

Why the player count climbed

The No Man’s Sky Steam surge came largely due to the Voyagers update, which delivered built-in experiences designed for both solo exploration and multiplayer sessions. The addition of modular corvettes and fully functional interiors encouraged players to return and rebuild bases in new ways.

At the same time, a Steam sale reduced the game’s price, helping attract both newcomers and returning players. The combination of new gameplay mechanics and discounted pricing created the perfect moment for growth.

Historical perspective and current outlook

This surge marks one of the most impressive comebacks for No Man’s Sky in years. While the 2016 launch still holds the all-time peak, this spike in August 2025 represents the highest concurrent player count seen in seven years.

As of early September, live player counts have settled somewhat but remain significantly higher than before the update. Interest in the game continues to hold strong as players explore the new content introduced with Voyagers, keeping activity levels well above mid-year averages.