Is THE FINALS Dead in 2025? What the Steam Charts Reveal

Hey everyone, Elias here for rivalsector.com. I’ve been in the FPS scene for longer than I care to admit, and I’ve seen games rise like a meteor and fall just as fast. It’s the brutal nature of the live-service world. A question that keeps popping up in my feeds and DMs is about the state of Embark Studios’ chaotic, destructive shooter: “Is THE FINALS dead in 2025?” It’s a fair question, especially after its explosive launch. So today, I’m going to break it down, look at the hard data from the Steam charts, and give you my honest take on whether it’s time to uninstall or double down on the destruction.

When THE FINALS dropped, it was a breath of fresh air. The level of environmental destruction was unlike anything we had seen in a competitive shooter. Entire buildings crumbling, floors collapsing, and creating new sightlines on the fly, it was pure, unadulterated chaos. I was hooked from day one. The game peaked at a staggering 242,619 concurrent players on Steam, a number that many AAA titles would kill for. But as any seasoned gamer knows, it’s not about how you start the race, it’s about how you finish it.

The Numbers Don’t Lie: A Look at the Steam Charts

Let’s get right into the thick of it, the raw data. Looking at the SteamDB chart, we can see the journey THE FINALS has been on. After that massive initial peak, there was an undeniable and steep drop-off. This is a natural cycle for many online games, the initial hype fades, and the player base settles. The real test is where it settles.

As of early October 2025, the 24-hour peak on Steam is hovering around the 20,000 to 24,000 player mark, with concurrent players sometimes dipping into the high four digits. Now, if you just glance at the chart from its all-time peak, that looks like a massive nosedive. And it is. However, context is everything in the gaming world.

For a free-to-play shooter in a fiercely competitive market, these numbers aren’t a death knell. In fact, for most of 2025, the game has maintained a relatively stable player base, with peaks often hitting between 20,000 and 30,000 concurrent users on Steam alone. It’s crucial to remember that these numbers do not include the console player base on Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5, which undoubtedly adds a significant number of players to the total pool.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the monthly peak player counts on Steam for 2025:

As you can see, while not reaching the dizzying heights of its launch, the player count has seen several upward trends, often coinciding with new season launches and major updates. September 2025, for instance, saw a healthy spike, likely fueled by the launch of Season 8.

More Than Just Numbers: Content is King

A steady stream of new and engaging content is the lifeblood of any live-service game. This is where Embark Studios has been putting in the work. Throughout 2025, we’ve seen the release of Seasons 7 and 8, each bringing a host of new content, balance changes, and quality-of-life improvements.

Season 7 introduced the stunning NOZOMI/CITADEL arena, a map split by a shimmering rift that offers two distinct combat environments. New gadgets like the Light’s H+ Infuser and the Medium’s Breach Drill shook up the meta, providing new tactical possibilities. The developers also made significant changes to progression, making it easier for new players to get into the action.

Season 8 continued this momentum with a focus on refining the core experience. We saw a brand-new match recap screen, offering a more detailed breakdown of your performance. The destruction physics, the game’s signature feature, received a major overhaul, making building collapses more realistic and traversable. The tutorial was also expanded, a clear sign that Embark is still focused on attracting and retaining new players.

These updates show a commitment from the developers to not just maintain the game, but to actively improve and evolve it based on player feedback. They’ve acknowledged community concerns around things like smoke grenade spam and are actively working on solutions. This level of communication and dedication is a positive sign for the long-term health of the game.

The Community Pulse: Sweaty or Thriving?

So, the numbers are stable and the updates are flowing, but what about the in-game experience? I’ve spent a good amount of time in THE FINALS this year, and the community sentiment seems to be a mixed bag, which is pretty standard for any competitive shooter.

Some players, especially those who have been around since launch, find the current player base to be “sweaty.” This is a common phenomenon in games with a high skill ceiling. As the casual players move on, the dedicated, more skilled players remain, which can make matches feel more intense.

However, many others, myself included, find the game to be in a great place. The core gameplay loop of grabbing cash, defending your position, and causing untold amounts of destruction is still an absolute blast. The constant updates have kept the meta from getting stale, and there’s always a new strategy to try or a new gadget to master.

I’ve seen a lot of new players jumping in, and the community, for the most part, is welcoming. While you’ll always encounter some toxicity in online gaming, I’ve had more positive interactions than negative ones. The game’s unique style and fast-paced action are still attracting fresh faces, which is essential for its longevity.

For those interested in the competitive side of things, The Finals ranks are as competitive as ever, and the discussion around The Finals ranked rewards for season 8 has been a hot topic in the community, with players eager to see what exclusive cosmetics they can earn.

Expanding the Arena: Is THE FINALS on PS4?

One of the most surprising and promising developments for the future of THE FINALS is its expansion to older hardware. For a long time, the question of “is THE FINALS on PS4?” was met with a resounding “no.” The game’s demanding physics and visuals seemed tailor-made for current-gen hardware.

However, in a move that I honestly didn’t see coming, Embark Studios has announced that THE FINALS will be coming to the PlayStation 4 on December 12, 2024. This is a massive deal. The PS4 has an enormous install base, and opening the game up to millions of potential new players could lead to a significant resurgence in player numbers. It shows that the developers are confident in their ability to optimize the game and are committed to making it accessible to as many players as possible.

The Verdict: Far From Dead

So, to answer the initial question: is THE FINALS dead in 2025? Absolutely not. While it may not be the chart-topping behemoth it was at launch, it has carved out a dedicated and stable community. The consistent updates, the developer’s commitment to improvement, and the upcoming expansion to the PS4 all point to a bright future for this chaotic and incredibly fun shooter.

Here are a few key takeaways:

• Stable Player Base: The Steam player count has stabilized, with regular spikes in player numbers coinciding with new content drops.
• Consistent Updates: Embark Studios has been delivering a steady stream of new seasons, maps, gadgets, and quality-of-life improvements.
• Active Community: While the competition can be fierce, the community is active and welcoming to new players.
• Platform Expansion: The upcoming PS4 release has the potential to bring a massive influx of new players to the game.

If you were a fan of THE FINALS at launch and have been thinking about jumping back in, now is a great time to do so. The game is more polished and feature-rich than ever before. And if you’re a new player looking for a unique and exhilarating FPS experience, I can’t recommend it enough.

What are your thoughts on the state of THE FINALS in 2025? Let me know in the comments below. For more in-depth analysis and the latest news on all your favorite games, be sure to check out our Gaming Insights category here at rivalsector. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some buildings to demolish.