Subnautica 2 led Steam’s global revenue chart after selling 2 million copies in 12 hours, while Forza Horizon 6 hit 273,148 concurrent players on launch day to become Xbox’s biggest-ever Steam release.
Subnautica 2 and Forza Horizon 6 delivered the largest combined launch week on Steam in 2026 so far. Between May 12 and May 19, Subnautica 2 took the number one spot on Steam’s global top sellers by revenue after selling over 2 million copies in its first 12 hours, while Forza Horizon 6 broke the all-time concurrent player record for any racing game on the platform with 273,148 simultaneous players on May 19.
Global Steam Top Sellers: May 12-19, 2026
According to SteamDB’s weekly revenue rankings, the top ten global sellers for this period were:
| Rank | Game | Developer | Release Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Subnautica 2 | Unknown Worlds Entertainment | May 14, 2026 |
| 2 | Forza Horizon 6 | Playground Games | May 19, 2026 |
| 3 | Counter-Strike 2 (F2P) | Valve | Aug 2012 |
| 4 | PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS (F2P) | PUBG Corporation | Dec 2017 |
| 5 | Apex Legends (F2P) | Respawn | Nov 2020 |
| 6 | Subnautica | Unknown Worlds Entertainment | Jan 2018 |
| 7 | Overwatch (F2P) | Blizzard Entertainment | Aug 2023 |
| 8 | LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight | TT Games | May 22, 2026 |
| 9 | Battlefield 6 | Battlefield Studios / EA | Oct 2025 |
| 10 | NBA 2K26 | Visual Concepts | Sep 2025 |
Data sourced from SteamDB’s weekly global top sellers chart ranked by estimated revenue.
Subnautica 2: 2 Million Copies and 467K Peak Players on Day One
Unknown Worlds Entertainment’s Subnautica 2 launched into early access on May 14 at $29.99 across Steam, Epic Games Store, and Microsoft Store, with day-one availability on Xbox Game Pass. The results were staggering: the game sold over 1 million copies within its first hour and crossed 2 million copies sold within 12 hours. On Steam alone, Subnautica 2 reached a peak of over 467,000 concurrent players, while the combined peak across all platforms exceeded 651,000.
The sequel’s launch also pulled the original Subnautica back into the global top ten, climbing 63 positions on the weekly chart. The original game received a 75% discount during the same period, making it easier for new players to experience the first game before diving into the sequel.
Forza Horizon 6: Xbox’s Biggest Steam Launch Ever
Forza Horizon 6, set in Japan for the first time in the series, followed a staggered release strategy. Premium Edition owners ($119.99) received early access on May 15, while the standard $69.99 edition and Xbox Game Pass access went live on May 19. The results shattered franchise records at every stage.
During early access on May 15, the game peaked at 172,093 concurrent Steam players, already more than double Forza Horizon 5’s all-time peak of 81,096. By May 17, it had climbed to 181,000. On full launch day, May 19, Forza Horizon 6 reached 273,148 concurrent players, making it the highest-ever peak for any racing game on Steam and the biggest Xbox Game Studios launch on the platform, surpassing even Halo Infinite’s free-to-play multiplayer peak of 272,148.
According to in-game Hall of Fame leaderboard data, over 1.2 million players had already tried Forza Horizon 6 by the end of the early access weekend alone.
Why These Two Games Dominated the Same Week
The convergence of two massive launches in a single week is unusual. Subnautica 2 appealed to survival-exploration fans with a proven franchise and an accessible $29.99 price point backed by Game Pass availability. Forza Horizon 6 targeted a completely different audience of racing and open-world enthusiasts, with the added pull of the Japan setting that fans had requested for years. Neither game cannibalized the other’s audience, and together they pushed the week’s overall Steam revenue significantly above normal levels.
The presence of three free-to-play evergreens (Counter-Strike 2, PUBG, Apex Legends) in the top five by revenue highlights how in-game spending on those titles remains enormous even alongside blockbuster paid launches.
Battlefield 6 Season 3 Adds to a Strong Week for Shooters
EA’s Battlefield 6, released in October 2025, re-entered the top ten thanks to its Season 3 launch on May 12. The “PAX Warlords” update introduced new maps, gadgets, and vehicles, drawing players back. Battlefield 6 currently sits at a 65% positive review score on Steam from over 341,000 reviews, and its Season 3 Battlefield Pro pass appeared separately on the chart as well. The game holds a Metacritic score of 82.
Discount-Driven Hits: RDR2, NBA 2K26, and Euro Truck Simulator 2
Several older titles climbed the charts thanks to deep discounts running through late May:
- Red Dead Redemption 2: 75% off at $14.99, with the promotion running until May 25. This matches the game’s all-time lowest recorded Steam price.
- Euro Truck Simulator 2: 75% off at $2.52. SCS Software’s long-running simulation remains a staple in European and Turkish markets especially.
- NBA 2K26: 86% off at $9.79, one of the steepest discounts for a major sports title this year.
These discounts demonstrate how legacy titles continue to generate meaningful revenue on Steam when aggressive pricing aligns with a busy sales period.
Regional Differences: How Turkey’s Chart Compares to Global
The Turkish sales chart for the same week shows some notable differences from the global ranking. While Forza Horizon 6 topped Turkey’s list (at a regional price of $48.99 versus the global $69.99), Subnautica 2 sat second rather than first. Turkey’s list also included titles like Black Desert ($4.99), The Quinfall ($7.99), and Devil May Cry 5 (85% off at $3.37), reflecting a preference for lower-priced games. The global chart, ranked by revenue, naturally favours higher-priced titles and in-game spending from free-to-play games.
LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight, which appeared in the global top ten ahead of its May 22 release (likely via pre-orders), did not make the Turkish top 15.
What Players Usually Ask
How is Steam’s weekly top sellers list calculated?
Steam’s official top sellers list is based on revenue generated within a given week, not unit sales. This means a $69.99 game that sells fewer copies can outrank a $9.99 game with more units sold. SteamDB tracks these rankings using data from Valve’s storefront.
Is Subnautica 2 worth buying in early access?
Subnautica 2 sold 2 million copies in 12 hours and peaked at 467,000 concurrent Steam players on launch day. Early access means the game is still in active development, but the overwhelming initial reception suggests a strong foundation. It is available for $29.99 or through Xbox Game Pass.
Is Forza Horizon 6 on Game Pass?
Yes. The standard edition of Forza Horizon 6 became available on Xbox Game Pass on May 19, the full launch date. Premium Edition early access (May 15) required either purchasing the $119.99 Premium Edition or buying the $60 Premium Upgrade add-on for Game Pass subscribers.
What was the previous Steam record for a racing game?
Before Forza Horizon 6’s 273,148 peak, the highest concurrent player count for a racing game on Steam belonged to Forza Horizon 5 at 81,096 players. Forza Horizon 6 more than tripled that figure on its first full launch day.
Looking for Game Accounts?
Players interested in buying or selling Steam accounts with established game libraries can browse verified listings on GamerMarkt’s Steam Accounts page. The platform offers a secure escrow system, 24/7 customer support, and seller reputation tracking for safe transactions.
