Game sales data aggregator Alinea Analytics reported on August 1 that sales of cooperative games on the Steam platform hit record highs in the first half of 2025.Not only did well-known IPs perform well, but independent games such as R.E.P.O and PEAK have also achieved great success.
According to statistics cited by Rhys Elliott, head of market analysis at Alinea Analytics, the top five new games on Steam platform this year are cooperative games.If sales are used as an indicator, four of the top five are cooperative games.Steam platform cooperative games generated US$4.1 billion (about RMB 29.6 billion) in the first half of 2025 alone, an increase of about 11% compared with the first half of last year.This marks the category’s record high.
It is particularly worth noting that the above-mentioned popular cooperative games adopt diverse forms.There are both well-known series of works such as "Monster Hunter: The Wilderness" created by Capcom, and "R.E.P.O" developed by small studio Semiwork, etc., which cover a wide range of themes and development scales.In addition to AAA masterpieces, it also includes independent games and continuous operational games, which shows that cooperative gameplay has become one of the important elements in the competition in the entire game market.
Elliott's analysis points out that there are three pillars behind the success of cooperative games: "social engagement", "repeatability" and "creator appeal".In short, it increases popularity through anchor promotion or mutual recommendation between players. With its easy-to-play feature, the charm of the work can be spread, thereby attracting more people's attention and forming a virtuous cycle.The company also believes that those multiplayer games that continue to sell well and have good reputations (long tail effect) are easier to be displayed in the algorithm recommendations of Steam stores, which also helps the hot-selling works.
As the times change, the trends of popular games are constantly changing.In recent years, cooperative games that have the potential to make huge waves on social media are showing their presence.The growth in demand and the popularity of chat applications are also driving factors behind it.
