Once Human Hits 30 Million PC Players as Survival Shooter Momentum Builds
Once Human has reached a major milestone, with more than 30 million PC players having tried the free-to-play survival shooter since launch. The figure was confirmed by Derek Qiu, Head of Operations for the game, and highlights just how much attention Starry Studio’s strange post-apocalyptic world has attracted in a short time.
The number represents total registered or cumulative PC players rather than active users, but it is still an impressive achievement for a new online survival game. On Steam, Once Human peaked at around 230,000 concurrent players shortly after release. More recently, its daily peak has been closer to 21,000 concurrent users. Since the game is also available through a separate PC launcher, Steam only shows part of the overall player base.
A survival shooter with a strange and addictive twist
One of the biggest reasons behind Once Human’s popularity is its unusual mix of gameplay styles. At first glance, it looks like a familiar open-world survival shooter. Players enter a ruined world filled with hostile creatures, gather resources, craft gear, build bases, and fight massive bosses from a third-person perspective.
What makes Once Human stand out is its system of collectible creatures known as Deviations. These bizarre beings can be captured and used in different ways. Some assist in battle, while others help around the base by gathering materials, tending crops, or supporting crafting tasks. This gives the game a creature-collection layer on top of its survival, shooting, and base-building mechanics.
That combination has helped Once Human attract players who enjoy open-world exploration, cooperative survival gameplay, monster hunting, crafting systems, and long-term base progression.
Player reviews show strong interest, but not universal praise
Despite the massive player count, Once Human has not escaped criticism. The game has earned a large number of user reviews on Steam, with the majority being positive, but many players have raised concerns about long-term progression.
The biggest complaint centers on the endgame. Once players reach the level cap, some say the experience becomes too repetitive. The gameplay loop often involves farming the same resources, replaying dungeons, and fighting familiar bosses. For a live-service survival game, keeping endgame content fresh is crucial, and this is where some longtime players feel Once Human still needs improvement.
Another point of frustration is the scenario and wipe system. Because parts of player progress can reset over time, some users feel forced to constantly readjust their plans, rebuild momentum, and adapt to new seasonal structures. While this system is designed to keep the world evolving, it has also divided the community.
Cosmetic monetization has also become a talking point. Some players feel that paid skins and visual items appear more often than meaningful gameplay additions. For a free-to-play game, cosmetics are expected, but the balance between monetization and new content remains important for keeping players engaged.
Console launch could bring a new wave of players
Once Human has now expanded beyond PC with versions for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. The console release supports cross-play and cross-progression across PC, consoles, and mobile devices, making it easier for friends to play together regardless of platform.
This broader release could give the game a fresh surge of activity, especially among players who prefer survival shooters on console. Cross-progression is also a major advantage, allowing players to continue their progress without being locked to one device.
Isles of Abyss expansion aims to refresh the experience
The next major test for Once Human will be its upcoming expansion, Isles of Abyss, scheduled for October. It is described as the game’s biggest expansion so far and will introduce the ocean as a new playable area.
The expansion adds customizable rafts, island exploration, new loot opportunities, and battles against mechanical sea monsters. This could significantly expand the survival loop by giving players a reason to explore beyond land-based zones and experiment with new systems.
If Isles of Abyss delivers enough variety, it may help address some of the current complaints about repetitive endgame content. The key challenge will be whether the expansion can keep players invested beyond the initial excitement.
Once Human has already proven it can attract a huge audience. Reaching 30 million PC players is a major achievement for any free-to-play survival shooter. Now, the question is whether Starry Studio can turn that early success into long-term staying power with deeper endgame systems, more varied content, and updates that keep the community engaged.
