Steam Next Fest concluded on October 26th, but Valve has already shared the list of the 20 most-played demos from the event, which featured over 8,000 titles. Multiplayer games and unique sim experiences proved particularly popular among players.
Among the top-played demos was "Worst Class Ever," a multiplayer game developed by Funcore Games. This asymmetrical "friendslop" title pits a group of disruptive students against a player-controlled teacher. According to Funcore Games, over 300,000 players tried the demo, which is slated for a Q4 2026 release.
Questing Goose Studio and tinyBuild's "Probably Stolen - Cyberpunk Shopkeeper Sim" also garnered significant attention. This game blends shopkeeping mechanics with elements of games like "Papers, Please," tasking players with deciding whether to conduct business with various characters. The full game is set to launch on October 28th.
For fans of fantasy MMORPGs, XL Games' "ArcheAge Chronicles" offered a demo that showcased fluid combat. While a release date for its Steam Early Access launch has not yet been announced, the game aims for a faster-paced combat experience compared to traditional MMORPGs.
FakeFish, the developers behind "Barotrauma," saw their new survival FPS, "Frostrail," gain traction. The game involves scavenging, combatting monsters, and surviving on a steam-powered train in a post-apocalyptic setting. "Frostrail" is expected to enter Steam Early Access later this year.
QLoud Games' "Loftia," a cozy life-simulation MMO, proved popular with players seeking a more laid-back experience. It aims to combine the life-sim elements of games like "Stardew Valley" with larger, shared worlds. "Loftia" is set to launch in Steam Early Access on November 3rd.
Finally, temkosoft's "just volleyball," a casual competitive volleyball game with a distinct art style and character customization, also performed well. With the sports game genre being relatively niche, "just volleyball" is poised for a November 4th launch.
