It’s the merriest time of the year, and we’re sure you’re here to admire the most important things in life: deep discounts and the ones you love (online, with a Steam account). Thankfully, the Steam Winter Sale 2023 seems to ensure you’ve got a handle on plenty of both.
Here at MMORPG.com, we agree in the intrinsic and tangible value of both, which is why we’re here to help you pick out games old and new where you can join your friends for a holly, jolly time during this holiday season and beyond, whether fighting zombies and mutants, sailing the open seas, or flying in space. Or, maybe you want to meet new friends in the vast reaches of these online worlds.
These are our top picks for multiplayer games you and your friends can pick up during 2023’s Steam Winter Sale. (Or, maybe you can pick them up for them!) Don’t take too long, though–it ends 10:00 a.m. Pacific Standard Time on January 4th.
If Steam isn’t your jam, or you’re a console player, rest assured Xbox, PlayStation and the Nintendo Switch are running their own sales, with many of the cross platform games listed here on sale as well.
Note: None of the games below requires subscriptions, in-game or otherwise, in order to play online with friends. Some may feature premium/paid offerings, such as expansions and/or cosmetics.
The Elder Scrolls Online
MMORPG — Sale Price $5.99 (Original $19.99) — Store Page
One of our staff’s top go-to MMORPGs year after year, The Elder Scrolls Online takes you into the world of the beloved franchise, letting you forge your own adventures across Tamriel. It’s one of the classics of the MMORPG genre, with plenty of included content and ways to keep playing beyond the main storylines.
Guild Wars 2 (Expansions)
MMORPG — Sale Prices $7.49–$49.67 (originals $29.99-$99.97) — Store Page
The base game for Guild Wars 2 is free, but it’s absolutely a game with a world, graphics, and story that players always come out eager to continue to (not unlike certain other MMORPGs with extended free trials). It’s got an active fanbase, regularly-updated content, and an incredible action-combat style. Just be careful - like other certain MMORPGs with extended free trials, you can’t link Steam accounts with other GW2 accounts (though for many that’s barely an issue).
Diablo IV
Top-down Looter Action MMO-ish RPG — Sale Price $41.99 (Original $69.99) — Store Page
Diablo IV was one of the most anticipated games of 2024, especially for fans of edgy worlds and collecting big numbers. While the launch was a bit rocky given its storied reputation, it’s grown with regular patches and “Season Passes” that have vastly improved the game for its dedicated playerbase. If you’re eyeing January’s new season, now might be the time to grab it.
Grand Theft Auto V
Multiplayer RPG — Sale Price $14.98 (Original $39.99) — Store Page
Despite the mess of the next installation’s leaks, Grand Theft Auto V stands tall as one of the past decade’s most beloved and revisited titles, with players coming to join others from around the world in Blaine County and get up to shenanigans. Oddly, you can’t buy GTA5 on its own: you need to buy a Premium Edition, but it’s the same price as the base game, so might as well take it.
Son of the Forest
Multiplayer Horror Open-World Survival — Sale Price $23.99 (Original $29.99) — Store Page
The follow-up to the hit open-world horror game The Forest, this Early Access game is already shaping up to be a go-to multiplayer favorite. Craft shelters, fight mutilated cannibals, and find out (after the inevitable mess-around stage).
Project Zomboid
Multiplayer Horror Open-World Survival — Sale Price $13.39 (Original $19.99) — Store Page
With Early Access released in early November, don’t let Project Zomboid’s pixel style fool you: it’s an intense but exciting experience. Team up with friends in this top-down zombie survival game to build a shelter and find supplies while avoiding getting bit by one of the fallen. The four-pack is also on sale, normally $59.99 and now $40.19 if you’re desperate for survival buddies, which is definitely the best way to experience it.
Monster Hunter World (+ Iceborne Expansion)
Multiplayer RPG — Sale Price $9.89 Base Game (Original $29.99) + $14.79 DLC (Original $39.99) — Store Page
While World dropped in 2018 and has been since followed up with Rise, we’re more apt to discuss this one, as Capcom seems very intent on pushing World due to its implied similarities to the now-announced Wilds in 2024. It’s aged fairly well, all considered, and the development team is continuing to provide updates and events in the wake of the Wilds announcement, including a sale before this Steam one. As a result, it’s seen an uptick in population, so you’ll likely get a few holiday Hunters by your side on a busier day.
Sea of Thieves 2023 Edition
Multiplayer Pirate Simulator — Sale Price $19.99 (Original $39.99) — Store Page
Also a 2018 release, Sea of Thieves has been updated frequently with a lot of love from developers and players. Its most recent major updates now permit private servers, so you and your friends can get up to shenanigans together without the hassle of scallywags. But despite the excitement about private servers, let’s be real—part of the appeal is anticipating high-octane battles against pirates from across the seas.
Terraria
2D Open-World Multiplayer Survival Sandbox — Sale Price $4.99 (Original $9.99) — Store Page
Terraria is one of the all-time multiplayer indie classics, letting you explore, build, loot, and fight for survival as you do so, with colorful, randomly-generated worlds and fast-paced action. There’s a reason why after twelve years, it’s making this list. It’s a great little gift that also offers a 4-pack, currently on sale for $14.99 (originally $29.99).
Baldur’s Gate 3
RPG with Multiplayer Co-Op — Sale Price $53.99 (Original $59.99) — Store Page
It’s Baldur’s Gate 3. You can play the Baldur’s Gate 3 campaign with a friend. Share both the literal and figurative brainworms that have swept the gaming industry. What more is there to say?
Elite Dangerous
MMO Space Sim — Sale Price $5.99 (Original $29.99) — Store Page
Without a doubt, Elite Dangerous is one of the most dangerously (ha) underrated space sims on the gaming market. Traverse the Milky Way and its planets, engage in war, and fly a spaceship for an absolute steal of $5.99. It’s regularly updated, like an EVE Online with less spreadsheets and more pew-pew.
Destiny 2 (Expansions)
Action/shooter MMO — Sale Prices $4.99–$39.99 (originals $19.99-$99.99) — Store Page
There’s been a lot of questionable feedback about Destiny 2 lately, from balance frustrations to pay-to-play complaints due to rapid-fire DLC drops. Not to mention, the layoffs were pretty brutal. However, the base game is free, and it’s one of the most fun titles for solely gunplay out there, so we really can just recommend the base game and tell you to wait until the next sale, when, inevitably, the expansions go a dollar cheaper, and maybe someone at Bungie who matters has learned something. Or you can also just get the right to join the Steam review spam.
Fallout 76
MMO Survival RPG — Sale Price $7.99 (Original $39.99) — Store Page
Rising from the ashes like many MMOs before it is Fallout 76, which had an infamously disastrous launch that invoked lawsuits, but is now actually shockingly playable and even enjoyable. It’s well-maintained and quite active, and the latest major update takes players to Atlantic City with new stories and factions (though this DLC isn’t on sale right now given its recency). It’s a fun open-world game if you’re willing to make the trek out of the vault.