The 'Banana' Game: Why It's Dominating Steam with Over 600K Concurrent Players
Tech & AI | June 15, 2024, 8:13 p.m.
The article highlights the sudden rise of the game "Banana" on Steam, with an unusual surge in player numbers reaching a peak of 660,000 concurrent players. The game, primarily an idle clicker, allows players to earn in-game skins that can be sold for real cash. While many players are attracted to the potential money-making aspect of the game, a significant number of bots have also taken advantage of the game's mechanics, causing issues for legitimate players. The developers are cooperating with Steam to address this problem. Despite the simplicity of the game, the appeal lies in its meme-ability and the potential for profits, with some in-game skins selling for over $1,000. The rise of "Banana" reflects a trend seen in popular games like "Call of Duty" and "Counter-Strike," where player-led markets drive the value of virtual items.