Call of Duty's highest monthly Steam peak was 491,670 players in November 2022, according to SteamDB. Black Ops 6 brought a 306,460 peak in October 2024 and 315,334 in November 2024. By late 2025 monthly peaks sat around 100,000 and dipped under that in December. Steam is only one platform, so the real total is higher.
Selected monthly peaks
| Month | Peak players on Steam |
|---|---|
| November 2022 | 491,670 |
| December 2022 | 310,040 |
| October 2023 | 189,557 |
| October 2024 | 306,460 |
| November 2024 | 315,334 |
| April 2025 | 139,687 |
| October 2025 | 99,574 |
| November 2025 | 100,332 |
| December 2025 | 73,947 |
Source: SteamDB for the Call of Duty app, figures to December 2025. SteamDB lists every month back to October 2022 if you want the full run. Console and Battle.net players are not included.
The pattern
Peaks follow the release calendar. Each October or November brings a jump when a new game launches, then the number slides through winter and spring. October 2023 almost doubled September's number, and October 2024 nearly doubled again from September. The pattern repeats because most of the audience buys the yearly release and plays it hard for a few months.
Why the series keeps its audience
- Fast, readable gunfights and a deep arsenal across assault rifles, SMGs, snipers, shotguns and LMGs.
- Three experiences in one: campaign, competitive multiplayer and Zombies.
- Warzone, the free battle royale, which keeps the series in front of players between releases.
- Yearly releases with new maps, modes and seasons.
Will the numbers hold?
Expect the same rise and fall. A new release, Modern Warfare 4, is scheduled for 23 October 2026, and previous launches suggest a jump in the weeks after. We will not predict the size. Check SteamDB for live numbers.
For the history of the franchise, see our Call of Duty timeline. Our Call of Duty cheat page covers Black Ops 7 and Warzone.