Early Access launch of Grounded 2 results in impressive player records on Steam swiftly established
In a surprising turn of events, Grounded 2, the highly-anticipated sequel to the beloved survival game, has stormed its way into the hearts of gamers everywhere. The original game, which came out of nowhere to become a smash hit, seems to have set a precedent for its sequel.
Since its launch into early access on July 29, 2025, Grounded 2 has been enjoying widespread popularity, regardless of the platform chosen by players. The game's success on Steam has been particularly noteworthy, with Grounded 2 currently sitting at the top of the charts. Eurogamer has even highlighted peak concurrent player figures for Grounded 2 surpassing Grounded's highest highs. As of now, the 24-hour peak concurrent player figure for Grounded 2 stands at an impressive 44,540 according to SteamDB.
Aaron Greenberg, Xbox's VP of Game's Marketing, has hailed Grounded 2's chart-topping success. While Steam numbers indicate the game's success, the numbers for Xbox Game Pass for console and PC Game Pass are not publicly available. However, it's reasonable to anticipate similar success for Grounded 2 on Xbox Game Pass.
Obsidian, the developers behind Grounded 2, have announced their plans to have the game Steam Deck Verified in their Winter Update, alongside the ROG Ally. The Xbox ROG Ally is expected to be released later this year, and Grounded 2 is preparing for it. This move towards handheld optimizations for Grounded 2 seems to be a priority, as the game's success on these devices could further boost its popularity.
The immediate Grounded 2 roadmap includes a variety of new weapons, armor, bosses, and equipment. The fall 2025 update is set to introduce a new major boss alongside new gear and possibly new mutations. Subsequent winter 2025 and summer 2026 updates will continue adding new weapons, armor, base-building options, and additional areas to explore. The updates also include system overhauls, new mechanics, and performance improvements to enhance gameplay. Minor improvements, such as extra languages and gear, will be introduced periodically throughout early access.
All signs point to a positive outlook for Grounded 2's future. With its current success and the exciting content planned for the future, it seems that Grounded 2 is poised to continue its reign at the top of the charts. The full launch of the game is expected after these early access updates, likely in 2027, following a development schedule similar to the original game.
[1] Source: Obsidian's official Grounded 2 roadmap [3] Source: Obsidian's press release on the early access launch of Grounded 2 [5] Source: Obsidian's interview with IGN discussing Grounded 2's development and future plans
The success of Grounded 2 transcends platforms, making waves on Steam, PC Game Pass, and possibly Xbox Game Pass, as predicted by Xbox's VP of Game's Marketing. Microsoft's ROG Ally, due for release later this year, will host a Steam Deck Verified Grounded 2, as announced by Obsidian in their Winter Update. Withatic upcoming major updates, new bosses, weapons, armor, and equipment, it seems that Grounded 2, like its predecessor, will maintain its reign as a popular gaming gadget in the realm of technology.
