Two weeks after its global launch, Umamusume: Pretty Derby is sprinting past expectations. The game has not only gone viral across social media but is also charting a consistent rise in active players on Steam—an impressive feat for any gacha title.

Despite earlier skepticism about whether the global release—years behind the Japanese version—would attract enough attention, the opposite has happened. The delay seems to have fueled global players’ excitement. With an established backlog of content and beloved characters already making waves online, anticipation for upcoming updates is stronger than ever.

Concurrent Player Count Continues to Break Records

According to data from SteamDB, Umamusume started strong with 25,505 concurrent players on release day. But what’s even more surprising is its continued growth. By July 8, that number had nearly doubled, peaking at 47,264 concurrent players. Most gacha games struggle to maintain momentum after launch. Umamusume, however, is defying that trend.

This surge isn’t just about the gameplay. Much of the title’s success can be attributed to viral fan content—particularly surrounding Gold Ship, a standout comedic character—and a passionate community eager to share memes, strategies, and fan art.

A Unique Formula That Works

Umamusume: Pretty Derby is far from your average mobile game. This horse racing sim with anthropomorphized “horse girls” blends sports, anime charm, and character collecting into a surprisingly deep experience. Originally a Japanese hit by Cygames, it has grown into a multimedia franchise spanning anime, music, and now a thriving international gaming community.

The global version is now available on Android, iOS, and PC via Steam, and with the player base growing fast, it’s clear this isn’t just a passing trend.