Roblox's Grow a Garden achieves massive player base, surpassing Fortnite's records.
Who knew virtual gardening could be so captivating? A Roblox game called "Grow a Garden" has seemingly blossomed into a massive hit, reportedly surpassing Fortnite's peak concurrent player count. While Fortnite reached a record of 15.3 million players during a Marvel season finale back in 2020, "Grow a Garden" has apparently exceeded that number, hitting over 16 million concurrent players recently, according to third-party monitoring tools.
So, what's the secret ingredient to this sudden surge in popularity? Well, "Grow a Garden," developed by The Garden Game, is essentially what it sounds like. You buy seeds, plant them, and wait for your virtual crops like blueberries, coconuts, and daffodils to grow. The fascinating part is that they grow even when you're not actively playing. Once your virtual harvest is ready, you can sell it for profit, buy more seeds, and even purchase temporary boosts to expedite the process. It's a simple but addictive loop.
It might not sound like the most thrilling concept on paper, but the game clearly has a strong appeal, especially for younger audiences looking for a relaxed and engaging online experience with friends. Also, who can resist the allure of adorable "Grow a Garden" pets?
Comparatively, "Grow a Garden's" numbers are impressive. PUBG, a behemoth in its own right, holds the Steam record for concurrent players with 3.3 million. Even Steam itself recently hit a peak of 40 million concurrent users, making "Grow a Garden's" 16 million a significant chunk of the overall pie. This shows how a simple and easy-to-play game can catch the attention of the massive audience.
However, it's important to remember that Roblox itself has faced scrutiny regarding child safety. Last year, Roblox Corporation implemented several policy changes, including enhanced parental controls and restrictions on social hangouts for younger users, to address these concerns. The company is also under investigation by the US Securities and Exchange Commission, potentially related to reports of inflated player numbers, although the exact reason remains undisclosed.
Source: EuroGamer