Steam concurrent user growth rate up significantly compared to 2012

Valve’s PC digital distribution platform Steam is currently growing 300 per cent faster than it was a year ago.

PC Gamer reports Steam reached the high point of 6.6m concurrent users online this month, compared to 5m users in January 2012.

The 6m mark was surpassed in November, meaning Steam is now growing by 300 per cent the speed it was during the same period in 2012.

The analysis is quick to point out that the Dota 2 beta, and more specifically its loads of free keys, has provided a huge boost in the stats. The game has peaked at 237,414 concurrent users, finishing ahead of Football Manager in second with 78,488 users.

Team Fortress 2 was also noted as carrying a constantly fluctuating total of players between 45,000 and 75,000.

The significant growth clearly bodes well for Valve, as the company prepares to make a splash in the hardware market later this year.