The player count for Sons of the Forest has dramatically increased by approximately 457% in July compared to May. This open-world survival game was officially launched in February 2024, after achieving impressive numbers during its early access phase in 2023, where it attracted over 400,000 players.
Now, around 16 months post-launch, the game has reached a new peak in popularity, largely due to two significant events occurring simultaneously. Early on, Sons of the Forest made waves by becoming one of the most searched games on Google in 2023, coupled with a successful early access period and a well-received global launch.
Although the initial excitement eventually subsided, the game maintained a devoted player base, with between 10,000 to 20,000 players actively exploring Site 2. Recently, there has been a resurgence, with thousands of new players joining the ranks of Endnight Games’ survival title.
The game’s intricate details have won it a substantial following, paving the way for upcoming titles like Serum, which combines crafting and tension. On June 29, Sons of the Forest achieved a peak player count of over 49,000, just shy of the previous record of 53,000 set in October 2024.
This recent uptick can be attributed to two main factors: a major update that added new features and fixed critical issues, and a significant discount during the 2025 Steam Summer Sale, slashing the price to around $10. With an influx of updates, Sons of the Forest is now regarded as one of the best-looking survival games on Steam.
Its polished feel and the developer’s commitment to support make it an appealing option this summer. The ongoing activity in the game’s servers creates an ideal environment for new players to team up and explore together.
Shoppers have only until July 10 to take advantage of the 66% discount, bringing the price down to just $10.99. Additionally, players interested in similar games might also explore Valheim, which is currently available at 50% off.