The most popular game by total sales and cultural impact is Minecraft , which has sold over 300 million copies worldwide as of October 2023, making it the best-selling video game of all time

. Minecraft's popularity stems from its sandbox gameplay that allows players to build, explore, and survive in a procedurally generated world, supported by a strong modding community and multiplayer servers

. In terms of current active player base, especially on PC, Counter-Strike 2 & GO dominate as the most played games on desktop and laptop platforms right now

. On Steam, the top played games fluctuate but often include titles like Counter-Strike, Dota 2, and PUBG

. Other perennial popular games with massive sales and player engagement include:

• Grand Theft Auto V (GTA V) with over 200 million copies sold, known for its open-world gameplay and GTA Online mode

• Fortnite , with over 400 million registered accounts, is hugely popular for its battle royale gameplay and social events

• Tetris holds the record for the highest total sales across all platforms, with 520 million copies sold, mostly on mobile

In summary:

• By lifetime sales and cultural impact: Minecraft is the most popular.
• By current active player count on PC: Counter-Strike 2 & GO lead.
• Other top contenders include GTA V , Fortnite , and Tetris

This reflects a mix of enduring classics and current multiplayer hits dominating the gaming landscape.