At the time of writing, the StarCraft 2 player count is estimated to be around 73,684. Note that this statistic is based on third-party sources because Blizzard Entertainment keeps the real numbers under wraps.
This 2010 release, StarCraft 2 (SC2), has stood the test of time and earned legendary status in the real-time strategy (RTS) genre. It also helped to set the standard for the modern esports scene.
As a result, it’s no surprise that gamers may look for details about the SC2 player base. And that’s where we come in! This guide will answer all the burning questions, including whether SC2 is a “dead game” and which big streamers still play it in 2025.
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How Many People Play StarCraft 2 In 2025?
More than 73,000 people play StarCraft 2. RankedFTW.com used to be the closest source to a “solid stat” on the SC2 active player population, but the site is no longer functional. However, it’s worth noting that free-to-play games often have inflated player counts due to the large volume of smurf accounts
So, even if you could find “real” user stats, it probably wouldn’t be accurate. Luckily, we’ve found a nifty solution. Below, you’ll find the latest details on the SC2 player base in 2024, according to data by SC2 Pulse:
StarCraft 2 Player Statistics
- The total number of global active players at the end of Season 4 (2024) is 73,684, down from 113,660 at the start of the year.
- Only 4,221 of those are new players.
- The total SC2 player count in 1v1 games at the end of Season 4 (2024) is 1,632,022, reflecting a 58.9% decrease from the start of the year (3,970,967).
- Most players play 1v1 matches, with about 66,130 games played daily. The next most popular SC2 game mode is 2v2, with 5,444 games played, followed by 3v3 and 4v4 at 1,037 and 286 matches, respectively. Only 27 Archon co-op games are played per day.
- The most active servers are in the U.S. and Europe, with 30,947 and 25,789 players (equal to 42% and 35% of the total player base), respectively. The Korean server is the least active, with only 17,684 players (or 24% of the total player base). The Chinese server was shut down in January 2023.
Note: These figures are extracted from Battle.net API for SC2 Season 4 (2023) and may be subject to inaccuracies.
Is StarCraft 2 A Dead Game?
No, SC2 is not a dead game. It may not have a massive player base like Dota 2 or League of Legends, but it’s definitely not dead—not even close. Better yet, SC2 is viewed as a stalwart of the RTS genre and has a strong presence in the esports scene.
Although the SC2 World Championship Series was cut short in 2019, it was replaced by the ESL Pro Tour, which has kept the competitive spirit alive. This success is highlighted by the 567 SC2 tournaments hosted in 2024, boasting a collective prize pool of more than $2.2 million.
These include blockbuster events like IEM Katowice and the Esports World Cup, which collectively represented two-thirds of the year’s prize money ($1.5 million). Both tournaments also achieved record-breaking peak viewership, drawing 77,241 and 60,884 viewers, respectively.
Why Should I Play StarCraft 2 In 2025?
SC2 is regarded as a benchmark in the RTS genre and is praised as one of the greatest video games ever. The best part? It transitioned to a completely free-to-play model in 2017, making all multiplayer units available since the release of the Wings of Liberty campaign.
SC2 has also revolutionized traditional RTS gameplay mechanics. It requires precise build orders, tactical in-game decision-making, and balancing economy with military power for each faction: Zerg, Protoss, and Terran. If you love challenges, you’ll love SC2.
Who Still Streams StarCraft 2 In 2025?
SC2 is not the most popular video game on Twitch, making up less than 1% of the total audience, but you can still find roughly 35 channels streaming SC2 at any given moment. While the average viewer count in these streams is relatively low, rest assured, you’ll be in good company!
Top 10 Most Popular StarCraft 2 Twitch Streamers
Here is a list of some popular StarCraft II streamers:
- x5_PiG
- Berry_CruncH
- Wintergaming
- RotterdaM08
- IndyStarCraft
- Harstem
- HeroMarine
- CranKy_Ducklings
- SortOfSC
- Snakestyle1
Note: These stats are based on hours watched between Nov. 4 to Dec. 4, 2024.
StarCraft 2 — Twitch Stats 2025
Don’t believe us when we say that SC2 is still thriving? Here are the latest SC2 Twitch stats:
- Hours watched: 1,303,437
- Hours Broadcast: 25,239
- Average Viewers: 1,810
- Max Viewers: 18,832
Note: These stats come courtesy of Sully Gnome and are accurate for the period Nov. 4 to Dec. 4, 2024.
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