The quality of a game is subjective and debatable, but the numbers never lie. Based on statistics and how many copies were sold worldwide, here are the Top 10 Games of All Time On PC.
#10 Half-Life, 9.3 million copies
Courtesy of Sierra Entertainment
Since its release in 1993, Half-Life managed to sell an impressive number of copies worldwide. A science fiction first-person shooter, the game represented a divergence from other products of the genre through the lack of cut scenes. Instead, players had complete control of the protagonist and guided him through a series of scripted events.
#9 Garry’s Mod, 10 million copies
Courtesy of Facepunch Studios
If you’ve ever followed popular gaming channels on YouTube, it’s very likely that you saw what Garry’s Mode was all about. As a sandbox game, players have a great deal of control over their environment and the building of the world around them.
#8 StarCraft, 11 million copies
Courtesy of Blizzard Entertainment
StarCraft won over millions of people with its story, which pits against each other four dynamic and unique races that reside in a faraway sector in 26th century Milky Way. After its release in 1998, it grew into a media franchise that spawned several other video games, merchandise, and eight novelizations.
#7 The Sims, 11.24 million copies
Courtesy of Electronic Arts
The prospect of being an omniscient being that has full control over the incredibly expanded life of some virtual characters was fascinating enough to convince over 10 million people to acquire the game since its release. The Sims remains one of EA’s most successful franchises, with the third installment being, perhaps, the one most people hold closest to the heart.
#6 Counter-Strike, 11.5 million copies
Courtesy of Valve Corporation
Counter-Strike was the biggest deal in middle school for many of us, so it’s very likely that at least half of these sales were bagged in during that time period. Counter-Strike took the shooter genre to the next level, by igniting in players the ardent feeling of competition.
#5 Half-Life 2, 12 million copies
Courtesy of Valve Corporation & Sierra Entertainment
For five years after the success of the first installment of the franchise, developers have been relentlessly working on a sequel. Half-Life 2 was released after an investment of $40 million, which thoroughly paid out thanks to the critical acclaim and the public reception.
#4 Diablo III, 12 million copies
Courtesy of Activision Blizzard
The record number was established in 2012 alone, when Diablo III sold, upon its release, over 12 million copies. It was considered to be easily the game of the year and, up to this day, it remains one of the most appreciated gaming products.
#3 Terraria, 12 million copies
Courtesy of Re-Logic
One might argue that Terraria was the precursor of Minecraft minus the 3D (yet simplistic) environment. Terraria was a hit among critics and audiences likewise, who started to get the first taste of crafting and construction games.
#2 World of Warcraft, 14 million copies
Courtesy of Blizzard Entertainment
The MMORPG genre blew up after the success that WoW was met with upon its release. Defining the fantastic adventure role playing games that are now so big in numbers, World of Warcraft started a format that was reproduced by countless of other games throughout the years.
#1 Minecraft, 23 million copies
Courtesy of Microsoft
If you’re thinking that Minecraft is everywhere, that’s because it sort of is. Tens of millions of people acquired the game that somehow managed to enthrall players through a seemingly simple premise. This proves that, sometimes, it’s not graphics that truly make a game popular.
