Slay the Spire Hits All-Time Player Peak on Steam Nearly 7 Years After Release

Slay the Spire just received the ultimate Christmas present: an all-time concurrent player peak on Steam that absolutely demolishes its previous record—and it happened nearly seven years after the game’s original release. According to SteamDB data, the beloved deckbuilder surged past 57,000 concurrent players during the 2025 holiday season, more than doubling its previous peak from 2018.

For a game that launched into early access way back in 2017, this isn’t just impressive—it’s practically unheard of. While plenty of games enjoy brief revivals or nostalgia bumps, few titles continue growing their player base this dramatically years after release. So what exactly is driving this unprecedented surge in spire slaying?

The Numbers Don’t Lie: A Record-Breaking Peak

Let’s break down exactly how significant this achievement is for Slay the Spire:

Previous all-time peak: Just over 33,000 concurrent players (set during the 2018 early access launch)

New all-time peak: Approximately 57,000 concurrent players (December 2025)

The difference: That’s a 73% increase over the previous record

Current stabilization: After the peak, player counts settled around 35,000—still noticeably above the old record

These aren’t marginal gains or statistical anomalies. This represents a genuine, massive resurgence for a game that many developers would consider past its prime growth phase.

Why Now? Three Factors Behind the Surge

While Slay the Spire has always been great (it literally helped define the modern roguelike deckbuilder genre), several factors converged this Christmas season to create the perfect storm for new and returning players.

Factor #1: Historic Low Price During Steam Winter Sale

The deal: $2.49 during the 2025 Steam Winter Sale

Why it matters: According to SteamDB, this represents the lowest price point in the game’s recorded sale history (dating back at least two years, though likely ever)

The psychology: At the price of a pack of gum or a cheap coffee, Slay the Spire becomes an impulse purchase even for players who’ve never touched a deckbuilder

The timing: Steam’s winter sale coincides with holiday break, meaning people have both the money (gift cards, holiday bonuses) and time (vacation days) to dive into new games

When a critically acclaimed game drops to under $3, it stops being a “should I buy this?” question and becomes a “why haven’t I bought this already?” situation. For budget-conscious gamers burning through their Steam wallets during the sale frenzy, such an acclaimed title at this price point is simply a no-brainer.

Factor #2: Slay the Spire 2 Hype Building Momentum

Sequel announcement: Slay the Spire 2 was crowned “Most Wanted” game at this year’s Show: Most Wanted, generating significant buzz

Release anticipation: With the sequel on the horizon, prospective players naturally want to experience the original

Veteran returns: Long-time fans who haven’t played in years are diving back in to refresh their skills before the sequel drops

Discovery effect: Marketing and coverage around Slay the Spire 2 is introducing the franchise to players who somehow missed the original

This pattern isn’t uncommon—sequels often drive interest in original games. But Slay the Spire’s case is particularly striking because the first game has aged so gracefully. New players aren’t picking up a dated curiosity; they’re experiencing a game that still feels fresh and relevant in 2025.

Factor #3: The Board Game Effect

Recent release: The Slay the Spire board game adaptation launched to strong reception

Critical acclaim: It holds an impressive 8.7/10 user rating on BoardGameGeek, a notoriously critical community

Cross-medium interest: Board game fans discovering the digital version, and vice versa

Tabletop renaissance: The board game boom during and after the pandemic created new audiences for strategy games

While probably the smallest factor of the three, the board game’s success demonstrates that Slay the Spire’s core design translates beautifully across mediums. Some tabletop enthusiasts who tried the physical version may have been curious enough to check out the digital original—especially at $2.49.

What Makes Slay the Spire Timeless?

The price drop and sequel hype explain the timing of this surge, but they don’t fully explain why so many players stick around after buying. That comes down to the game’s fundamental quality and replayability.

A Genre-Defining Achievement

When Slay the Spire released into early access in 2017, it didn’t just enter the roguelike deckbuilder space—it essentially created the modern template for the entire genre. PC Gamer’s Evan Lahti called it a “genre-bending achievement” in his review, and that assessment has only grown more accurate with time.

What it nailed:

• Perfect run length: Runs typically last 45-90 minutes—long enough to feel substantial, short enough for “one more run” syndrome
• Deep strategy: Hundreds of cards and relics create nearly infinite build possibilities
• Balanced randomness: RNG keeps things fresh without feeling unfair
• Skill expression: Experienced players can consistently win on high difficulties, proving it’s not just luck

“Absolutely Broken Combos Within Your Grasp”

As Lahti noted in his review, Slay the Spire excels at putting “absolutely broken combos within your grasp.” That’s the secret sauce that keeps players coming back.

The power fantasy cycle:

1. Start each run relatively weak
2. Gradually assemble synergies between cards, relics, and character abilities
3. Reach a point where your deck becomes an unstoppable machine
4. Feel like an absolute genius for building it
5. Immediately want to chase that high again with a different build

This cycle creates what game designers call “emergent gameplay”—moments of discovery and creativity that feel uniquely yours even though you’re working within the game’s systems. Every successful run tells a story, and no two stories are quite the same.

Standing the Test of Time

Nearly seven years after release, Slay the Spire remains remarkably fresh for several reasons:

No predatory monetization: One purchase, complete game. No battle passes, no microtransactions, no FOMO mechanics

Mod support: An active modding community continues creating new characters, cards, and challenges

Perfect for short sessions: Great for Steam Deck, quick breaks, or extended marathons alike

Skill ceiling: Even veterans continue discovering new strategies and optimizations

Proven longevity: The game has consistently maintained a healthy player base for years, not just during this recent surge

The Deckbuilder Genre’s Founding Father

While Slay the Spire wasn’t technically the first roguelike deckbuilder (shout out to Dream Quest), it was undeniably the game that brought the genre into the mainstream and established the template countless others would follow.

Games Inspired by Slay the Spire

The list of deckbuilders that followed in Slay the Spire’s footsteps is extensive:

Direct descendants:

• Monster Train
• Griftlands
• Inscryption
• Roguebook
• Nowhere Prophet

Genre expansions:

• Loop Hero (deckbuilding with auto-battler elements)
• Battles of Yore: Obsidian & Ash (multiplayer deckbuilding)
• Dicey Dungeons (dice-based variation)

Cross-genre fusion:

• Marvel’s Midnight Suns (deckbuilding meets tactics)
• Chrono Ark (deckbuilding meets traditional RPG)

Every single one of these games owes a debt to Slay the Spire’s design innovations. The genre it helped create now thrives with dozens of quality entries, yet the original remains one of the best.

What This Means for Slay the Spire 2

The timing of this player surge couldn’t be better for developer Mega Crit Games as they prepare to launch Slay the Spire 2.

Positive signals for the sequel:

Proven demand: 57,000+ concurrent players seven years later demonstrates the IP’s staying power

Fresh audience: Many of these new players discovering the original will be prime customers for the sequel

Community health: A thriving player base means active discussion, content creation, and word-of-mouth marketing

Development validation: The surge confirms that investing in a sequel is absolutely the right move

Hype momentum: This record-breaking peak generates news coverage (like this article), further amplifying awareness

If Mega Crit was worried about whether there’s still an audience for Slay the Spire content in 2025 and beyond, this Christmas surge answered that question with a resounding yes.

How to Join the Spire-Slaying Party

Want to see what all the fuss is about? Here’s what you need to know:

Current price: $2.49 on Steam (as of the 2025 Winter Sale—check current pricing)

Platforms: Steam (PC), Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, iOS, Android

What you’re getting:

• Four unique playable characters (Ironclad, Silent, Defect, Watcher)
• Hundreds of cards and relics
• Multiple difficulty levels (Ascension mode)
• Daily climbs with leaderboards
• Endless replayability

Time investment: Individual runs take 45-90 minutes, but expect to lose dozens (or hundreds) of hours chasing “just one more run”

Learning curve: Accessible enough for newcomers, deep enough for hardcore strategy fans

Pro Tips for New Players

If you’re jumping in for the first time:

Don’t be afraid to skip cards: Deck bloat is one of the biggest mistakes beginners make. Sometimes the best choice is adding nothing.

Prioritize card removal: Thinning your deck of starting cards often matters more than adding powerful new ones.

Take risks on early floors: You can afford to be aggressive when your health is high. Play too safe and you won’t build a deck strong enough for later challenges.

Embrace failure: You will lose. A lot. That’s the genre. Every loss teaches you something.

Experiment: Don’t follow guides or tier lists too strictly. Part of the joy is discovering broken combos yourself.

The Bottom Line

Slay the Spire hitting an all-time concurrent player peak nearly seven years after release isn’t just a feel-good story—it’s a testament to exceptional game design that transcends trends and maintains relevance across gaming generations.

The perfect storm of a historic sale price, sequel anticipation, and timeless gameplay has introduced (or reintroduced) tens of thousands of players to one of the defining games of the roguelike deckbuilder genre. Whether you’re a veteran climber returning for another ascent or a curious newcomer wondering what the hype is about, there’s never been a better time to experience this modern classic.

With Slay the Spire 2 on the horizon and the original still breaking records, the future looks bright for fans of card-based dungeon crawling. Here’s to hoping the sequel can capture even a fraction of the original’s magic—and longevity.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I have some spires to slay. Just one more run…

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