How many people play Minecraft in 2023?

Minecraft is the most popular crafting/survival game ever made, with a playerbase that has increased in size significantly since its commercial release in 2011. However, many players — myself included — wonder if the fanbase is still large and growing, or if the game's community is slowly drifting into decline.

Is Minecraft a dead game in 2023?

As of 2023, Minecraft has a monthly average player count of 173 million players, according to the popular game statistics website ActivePlayers. This number is an estimation based on all the platforms and the various editions of the game, as listed below.

• Minecraft Classic
• Minecraft: Java Edition
• Minecraft for Windows 
• Minecraft for Mobile Devices 
• Minecraft for Xbox
• Minecraft for Nintendo Switch  
• Minecraft: Xbox One Edition
• Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition
• Minecraft: PS4 Edition
• Minecraft: PS3 Edition 
• Minecraft: PlayStation Vita Edition
• Minecraft: Wii U Edition 
• Minecraft: New Nintendo 3DS Edition
• Minecraft: China Version
• Minecraft: Education Edition 
• Minecraft: PI Edition 

Related: Developers outline key differences between Minecraft and Minecraft Legends

Over the past four years, the average monthly player count has nearly doubled in size according to ActivePlayers's estimates. While the 2023 count may change as the year reaches its end, the average has decreased since last year.

Despite the slight decrease in its average monthly player count since last year, Minecraft is light years away from being considered a dead game. It has grown in popularity immensely since 2019, with the playerbase nearly doubling in size as new updates and gameplay features capture the attention of young gamers who are nascent in the gaming hemisphere. 

For more on Minecraft, check out the Best Minecraft Adventure Maps or the 20 Best Texture Packs for Minecraft on Pro Game Guides.