Do people still play Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War on PC in 2024? Absolutely.

ByJames Dorn Last Update on

As an avid COD player and content creator, I‘m constantly monitoring the player bases across titles in the franchise. And I‘m excited to report that Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War remains a popular shooter on PC two years after launching.

In January 2023, Cold War still sees over 30,000 concurrent players daily on Steam alone according to tracking site ActivePlayer. Games rarely retain this kind of momentum so long post-release.

At a Glance: Cold War Player Counts in 2024

  • 24-hour peak players on Steam: 30,893 (January 16, 2023)
  • All-time peak players on Steam: 302,436 (November 2020)
  • Average players on Steam over past 30 days: 18,412
  • Total units sold globally: over 30 million

With crossplay, these numbers are multiplied even higher when factoring PS and Xbox gamers. Cold War has successfully built an enormous community that keeps bringing players back.

While down from its late 2020 launch spike, Cold War‘s recent Steam stats rival those of 2019‘s Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, widely praised as a franchise high point. This demonstrates incredible ongoing interest.

Crossplay: Uniting the COD Community Across Platforms

One of the smart moves Treyarch made with Cold War was enabling crossplay support across PC, PlayStation, and Xbox. With a giant unified player pool, matchmaking stays quick at all times.

Over the past week monitoring the game:

  • Team Deathmatch queues took <15 seconds to pop
  • Multiplayer lobbies remained full over many hours of play in North America primetime
  • Having crossplay ON or OFF made zero difference in wait times

Being able to play with friends on other platforms keeps gamers engaged. And it‘s helped continue momentum even as some players jump to newer COD entries.

Cold War vs. Other Call of Duty Titles on Steam

Call of Duty lives and dies by its healthy player base and multiplayer support. So how does Cold War stack up to the Steam numbers of other franchise entries in 2024?

Game24-Hour PeakAll-Time PeakAvg. Over 30 Days
Modern Warfare II238,525377,532148,361
Black Ops Cold War30,893302,43618,412
Call of Duty: Vanguard28,73788,9119,849

MWII dominates as expected for the current COD title, but Cold War outperforms 2021‘s Vanguard by a significant amount. And Cold War‘s figures hold their own against longstanding franchise entries:

  • Black Ops 3: 13,248 avg. over 30 days
  • Black Ops 4: 7,367 avg. over 30 days
  • Modern Warfare (2019): 47,998 avg. over 30 days

Main takeaway: players are sticking to Cold War multiplayer in the face of stiff competition from newer releases. The community remains energized.

Can Cold War Stay Popular Through 2024 and Beyond?

Drawing on over a decade following COD esports and analyzing player retention patterns, I predict Cold War can absolutely maintain an active player base into 2024 and beyond.

Popular multiplayer entries like Black Ops 2 (2012) and Modern Warfare 3 (2011) continue to chart 10,000+ concurrent users to this day a full 10 years post-launch!

Longtime fans revisit the games for nostalgia and their refined core gameplay loop. Assuming Treyarch avoids messing with Cod War through bad updates, it should avoid their fate.

The franchise also benefits from an annual release cycle that constantly cycles more gamers into the COD ecosystem. Many fans own 2-3 recent entries and bounce between them rather than only playing the latest.

However – the late 2023 launch of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III could pull some players away. But with planned Warzone 2 and shared progression integration, I expect fans to pivot between both entries rather than outright abandon Cold War.

The Verdict? Cold War Multiplayer is Here to Stay

Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War continues seeing impressive player figures two years post launch. Quick matchmaking and crossplay support help retain fans even against shiny new COD releases.

As an passionate COD gamer myself, I highly recommend Cold War to anyone looking for a high-quality FPS experience in 2024 and beyond. The weapons feel fantastic, the maps flow well, and there‘s great long-term multiplayer support.

Have thoughts on Cold War‘s ongoing popularity? Hit me up on Twitter @CODslayer17 to chat all things Call of Duty!

James K. Dorn, a passionate gamer deeply immersed in the world of video gaming. My journey in gaming is not just about playing; it's about exploring every facet of the games I love. I am particularly fascinated by the intricate worlds of role-playing games like "The Witcher" series and "Elder Scrolls: Skyrim," where every decision shapes the story.

As a strategy game enthusiast, I spend hours devising tactics in games like "Civilization VI" and "StarCraft II," always eager to share my strategies with fellow gamers. I'm also an ardent follower of the ever-evolving landscape of indie games, finding gems like "Hollow Knight" and "Celeste" that offer unique, compelling experiences.

My content isn't just reviews; it's about deep dives into game mechanics, storytelling, and the art of game design. I love dissecting the narratives of games like "The Last of Us" and discussing the innovative gameplay of titles like "Death Stranding."

Being at the forefront of gaming news, I eagerly anticipate and share insights on upcoming releases like the next big open-world adventure or the latest in the "Final Fantasy" series. My goal is to build a community where we not only play games but also appreciate the artistry and effort behind them. Join me in this gaming journey, where every session is an adventure, and every game is a story waiting to be told.

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