An obscure physics simulation game is attracting nearly as many players as Forza Horizon 6 on Steam.

      BeamNG.drive

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      It's safe to assert that Forza Horizon 6 is the premier racing game of the year. Since its launch in May, it reached a peak of over 300,000 concurrent players on Steam within days. Keep in mind that this figure only reflects Steam and excludes console and PC players via the Xbox platform, for which Microsoft does not publicly disclose player counts. However, as the initial excitement fades, the current average for FH6 has dropped to just under 29,000 concurrent players, a tenth of its peak. You may be surprised to learn that another game is gaining ground quickly and could soon be right behind it.

      BeamNG.drive, a vehicle physics sandbox that has been around in various forms for more than ten years, averaged 20,660 concurrent players on Steam in July, marking an 8.45% increase, according to data first highlighted by Overtake. Although it's still technically in early access, the game boasts a vibrant modding community and has just received its largest update ever, which includes Gran Turismo’s open-source tone-mapping system for enhanced colors and lighting.

      I must admit that my personal experience with BeamNG.drive is quite limited; honestly, I wouldn't know where to begin if I were to start it up. My familiarity mostly comes from TikToks showing players launching vehicles of all shapes and sizes off ramps under varying gravitational forces. If you’ve ever wondered what a Cybertruck would endure under 30 times Earth’s gravity, BeamNG is the game for you.

      If it can be driven or crashed, it’s in BeamNG.drive.

      Nonetheless, this development is noteworthy and extends beyond mere industry relevance. Triple-A titles priced at $80 are increasingly common, and even those that seem cheaper to access, like FH6, often entice players with premium versions that can cost upwards of $120. Grand Theft Auto VI, for instance, will be released at $80 for the standard edition, which restricts access to character and vehicle customization—one of the major appeals of GTA for many gamers. To unlock those features, you’ll have to pay $100 for the “Ultimate Edition.”

      Are players starting to grow weary of this? While I don't have the data to confirm it, such a trend is typically not favored by consumers. Therefore, it’s significant that a game priced at $25, offering countless ways to enjoy gameplay (if you are willing to engage deeply), is attracting a comparably sized audience on PC.

      It’s essential to note how fundamentally different these two games are. BeamNG is a detailed simulation sandbox where players customize their experiences, while Horizon is a casual, pick-up-and-play open-world racing game that is as smooth as they come but more structured. FH6 also operates on a FOMO mechanic commonly found in many modern, high-budget games, providing limited-time rewards to those who invest the most time, thus maintaining a higher active player count.

      These games could not be more different from one another, yet they secured the top two positions in the racing genre on Steam last month, with a significant gap before reaching Assetto Corsa.

      Data from SteamDB since BeamNG’s release indicates that this attention is not a fleeting occurrence. Over the past decade, the game has shown a consistent upward trajectory, gaining momentum notably from mid-2020 to 2021. Its peak for concurrent players occurred just last month following the major update, reaching 47,424 users. The game is currently thriving, which is particularly impressive coming from a modest independent team of 70 people worldwide. Perhaps those publishers charging high prices while closing studios could take a lesson or two from their success.

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