Highlights
- The PC platform empowers indie studios games to financially outperform traditional publishers via self-publishing.
- Creative autonomy drives massive revenue for top indie studios games like Counter-Strike 2.
- Direct distribution allows indie studios games to maximize profits without external interference.
Highlights
10. Black Myth: Wukong
Game Science's Black Myth: Wukong sold 10M+ copies in 3 months across all platforms after its August 2024 launch, peaking at 2.4M concurrent Steam players worldwide. The Chinese studio's success marks a pivotal moment for domestic AAA development, proving bold risks from smaller teams rival Western giants.
9. Cyberpunk 2077
Polish studio CD Projekt RED continues its strong recovery with Cyberpunk 2077 reaching 35 million lifetime copies sold across all platforms by Nov 2025, up from 30 million a year prior. This growth was driven by post-2.1 updates, the Phantom Liberty expansion, and release on new platforms like the Switch 2. As a publicly traded self-publisher, the studio controls its marketing and distribution, embodying an independent spirit.
8. Baldur’s Gate 3
Belgium-based Larian Studios ranks among elite indie RPG developers, with Baldur's Gate 3 surpassing 20 million lifetime sales across all platforms by late 2025, as reported by GamingBolt. Patch 7's mod support drew CRPG fans back with 100K+ Steam peaks. As a privately owned studio with no external publisher for this title, Larian retains the vast majority of the gross revenue, allowing it to fund future projects like their newly announced Divinity title without external interference.
Steam
7. Elden Ring
FromSoftware's Elden Ring reached 30 million lifetime units sold worldwide by April 2025, as reported by Statista. It sustained strong PC performance, averaging ~40K Steam players, boosted by the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC and thriving modding communities. Majority-owned by Kadokawa with Tencent/Sony minority stakes, the studio maintains strict creative independence, dominating action RPGs. Its premium buy-to-play model—base game plus $40 DLC—proves traditional releases compete with live-service giants.
6. Destiny 2
Bungie's Destiny 2, operating as Sony's independently run subsidiary, averaged 25-40K Steam players in 2025. Bungie has control over the franchise's creative roadmap. It was fuelled by expansions like The Final Shape and an episodic content model that keeps the player base engaged. The game’s ability to monetize its dedicated community through season passes keeps it firmly on the list of top-grossing PC titles.
5. Warframe
Canadian developer Digital Extremes demonstrates the "forever game" model with Warframe, sustaining 40-80K average Steam players in 2025 through frequent free content updates like Jade Shadows and a loyal grinder community. Though majority-owned by Tencent via Leyou since 2020, the studio maintains high creative autonomy on its F2P sci-fi looter-shooter. Even after more than 11 years, the game generates consistent revenue through its player-centric monetization model, specifically via Prime Access packs and the Platinum currency used for cosmetics.
Steam
4. Apex Legends
Apex Legends, developed by Respawn Entertainment under Electronic Arts, remains a leading live-service shooter on PC in 2025 with Steam averages of ~100K concurrent players and peaks up to 200K. As a free-to-play title, it generates revenue through cosmetics and seasonal battle passes, boasting over 130 million players have played the game so far. While fully owned by EA, Respawn's agile teams deliver steady updates, keeping Apex in PC top-grossing charts alongside Valve titles. Over 130 million players have played the game so far.
3. Dota 2
Valve's Dota 2 maintained top Steam seller status in 2025 with ~600K average concurrent players monthly, fueled by The International qualifiers and events. Like Counter-Strike 2, Valve's dual role as developer/platform secures revenue despite its age.
2. PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS
South Korean giant Krafton recorded its highest-ever H1 2025 revenue of KRW 1.54 trillion (~$1.1 billion USD), up 11.9% YoY, driven heavily by PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS across platforms. PUBG generated $390M on PC alone, fueled by battle royale updates like the "Contender" system and cross-platform play, as reported by Automation media.
Steam
1. Counter-Strike 2
Capping the top 10 is Valve Corporation, which dominates PC gaming revenue in 2025, via Steam's $17B sales. Its dominance is driven by Counter-Strike 2, which reached a peak of over 1.8 million concurrent players this year alone on Steam. This massive figure is fueled by its free-to-play model and a competitive esports scene that keeps players engaged. As a developer/platform holder, Valve captures 70% margins on its titles plus 30% from others, outpacing rivals.
Whether through the long-tail monetization of "forever games" like Warframe and Counter-Strike 2 or the premium sales of meticulously crafted RPGs, these studios have proven that direct access to the PC ecosystem allows for sustainable growth without the constraints of traditional publishing.
