Stellaris Player Count Surges Past 31K Following BioGenesis DLC Release
*Stellaris* has seen a major boost in player activity following the release of its latest **BioGenesis DLC** and **Update 4.0**, with the game peaking at over **31,600 concurrent players** on Steam—its highest count in nearly a year.
Released on **May 5, 2025**, BioGenesis marks the beginning of **Season 9** and brings a variety of new content, including **two Bioship shipsets**, **three new Origins**, and the **Behemoth Fury crisis**. The accompanying **4.0 “Phoenix” Update** also introduced gameplay changes to **Pops, Trade Routes**, and more.
This surge mirrors a similar trend from **May 2024**, when the release of The Machine Age DLC pushed the player count to nearly **35,000**. However, despite the recent popularity spike, the new content has faced **criticism from players**, with only **36% positive feedback** on Steam since launch—down from the game’s usual “Very Positive” rating.
Common complaints include bugs and performance issues, but **Paradox Interactive** has responded quickly, releasing **three hotfixes** so far. A fourth patch (**4.0.5**) is already in the works and promises to resolve multiple problems, including issues with **Behemoth egg deployment** and **ship stat display errors**.
Despite the rocky launch, Stellaris appears to be regaining momentum thanks to its consistent updates and dedicated player base.
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