Sonic Rumble Launches to Low Player Count and Mixed Reception on Steam

Sonic Rumble launched yesterday to a rocky start, with its player numbers on PC falling short of expectations. According to SteamDB, the game peaked at just 5,465 concurrent players during its launch day. That number has since dropped to around 2,600 active players on Steam.

While Sonic Rumble is also available on iOS and Android, where downloads are likely higher, its Steam debut paints a concerning picture for SEGA’s latest multiplayer experiment. The game has already faced backlash over its aggressive monetization, with many players criticizing what they call “predatory” mobile-style systems, including multiple paid passes, premium skins, and gacha mechanics.

When compared to other Sonic releases on Steam, Rumble’s performance stands out for the wrong reasons. Sonic Frontiers reached a peak of 19,181 concurrent players, while Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds launched to around 13,630. Even Sonic Superstars and Sonic Origins—both multi-platform releases that split their audiences across consoles—saw comparable or better engagement at launch, peaking at 2,820 and 2,668 players respectively.

Given that Sonic Rumble currently only spans PC and mobile, its relatively low player count suggests a lukewarm reception on desktop platforms. The monetization model, which seems designed primarily for mobile audiences, may explain the game’s weaker performance on Steam.

In terms of gameplay, Sonic Rumble draws heavy inspiration from Fall Guys, featuring 32-player obstacle course races starring toy-like versions of Sonic and friends. However, while Fall Guys successfully attracted both casual and competitive players across consoles and PC, Rumble appears to be positioned squarely within the mobile free-to-play space, leaving traditional players less engaged.

Despite its slow start, Sonic Rumble remains available on Steam, iOS, and Android, and could still find its footing through future updates, events, and collaborations. For now, though, the Blue Blur’s latest multiplayer outing is off to a slow sprint rather than a super-speed start.

Stay tuned to Sonic City for more News and Updates on Sonic Rumble.