Back in August 2024, Circana's executive director Mat Piscatella took to social media to drop a data bomb: the top 10 games by weekly active users for the week ending August 3, covering Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Now, two years later in 2026, as we navigate a gaming world dominated by live-service titans and surprise indie darlings, it's a hoot to look back at that snapshot. The more things change, the more they stay the same—or so the saying goes.
Riot Games' Valorant made a splash on consoles, landing at rank 9 on PlayStation and rank 7 on Xbox. Not too shabby for a tactical shooter that had long been a PC exclusive. It was a clear sign that console players were hungry for that precise, ability-driven gunplay. Meanwhile, The First Descendant—remember that looter-shooter?—had a stellar launch in July 2024 but was already sliding down the charts by early August. It was barely hanging on around PlayStation and Xbox, and it had completely vanished from Steam's most-played list. Talk about a flash in the pan. The game's rapid rise and fall became a cautionary tale for live-service hopefuls: launch hype is one thing, retention is a whole different ballgame.
Over on Steam, 7 Days to Die and Path of Exile clawed their way into the charts from previous rankings of 11 and 12, respectively. The zombie survival sandbox and the deep ARPG both proved that steady updates and passionate communities can keep a game relevant for years. Once Human, the survival crafting game, showed impressive legs—still in the top half of the Steam charts almost a month after launch. And then there was Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga, which saw a massive 8.5x spike in engagement thanks to its addition to PlayStation Plus. That's what we call a power-up. It was a reminder that subscription services can breathe new life into older titles, sometimes overnight.
Now, let's break down the key takeaways from that report, with a 2026 lens:
| Game | Platform(s) | Rank (Aug 2024) | What Happened Next (2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valorant | PS5, Xbox Series X | S | 9 (PS), 7 (Xbox) |
| The First Descendant | PS5, Xbox, Steam | Slipping, barely hanging on | Never regained launch peak; still has a niche community. |
| 7 Days to Die | Steam | Entered from 11 | Continued updates; still a survival mainstay. |
| Path of Exile | Steam | Entered from 12 | Path of Exile 2 launched; franchise stronger than ever. |
| Once Human | Steam | Top half after a month | Expanded with new maps and modes; loyal player base. |
| Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga | PS Plus | 8.5x engagement spike | Remains a family favorite; frequent PS Plus rotations. |
That table alone tells a story of winners and losers. But the real lesson? Weekly active users (WAU) is the metric that matters for live games. Sales are great, but if players aren't logging in every week, your game is toast. Circana's report was a wake-up call for publishers who thought a big launch was enough. In 2026, we see the consequences: games that embraced seasonal content, cross-platform play, and community feedback are still thriving. Those that didn't? They're collecting dust in digital libraries.
Let's not forget the Lego Star Wars spike. An 8.5x jump in engagement is no joke. It showed that PlayStation Plus, and similar services like Xbox Game Pass, can be kingmakers. A game that might have been forgotten suddenly becomes the talk of the town. In 2026, this strategy is even more prevalent—subscription services are now the go-to for reviving back catalogs. If you're a developer sitting on an older title, maybe it's time to ring up Sony or Microsoft. Cha-ching! 💰
Of course, the gaming industry is a fickle beast. What was hot in August 2024 might be ice cold today. But the patterns are clear:
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🎮 Console ports matter: Valorant proved that PC-centric shooters can thrive on consoles.
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📉 Launch hype fades: The First Descendant's slide is a textbook example.
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🚀 Subscription spikes are real: Lego Star Wars' 8.5x boost shows the power of PS Plus.
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🧟 Survival games have legs: 7 Days to Die, Path of Exile, and Once Human all held their own.
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🔄 Cross-platform is non-negotiable: In 2026, if your game isn't on everything, you're leaving money on the table.
So, what does this blast from the past teach us in 2026? That weekly active user charts are a rollercoaster, and only the games that adapt survive. As Mat Piscatella might say, "the numbers don't lie." Whether you're a developer or a player, keeping an eye on these trends is half the battle. Now, if you'll excuse us, we've got a sudden urge to fire up some Lego Star Wars. May the Force be with your backlog.
In the end, Circana's August 2024 report was a snapshot of a transitional moment. It highlighted the rise of console Valorant, the struggles of a hyped looter-shooter, and the enduring appeal of survival games. Two years later, those lessons still ring true. So here's to the games that keep us coming back week after week—and to the data that tells us why. 🎮