Best Tower Defense Games on Steam
Unlike generic lists, our strategy game recommendations use a rigorous analysis of Steam user reviews to identify and feature only the best, community-validated tower defense games. For those who prefer not to search, lists of the most played, top deals and best free tower defense games are available at the bottom of the page.
Filters & Lists
Zombie Cure Lab
In a world overrun by the undead, build a lab to fight back with science. Manage survivors, gather vital resources, and turn zombies into allies. Defend your base and research the cure to reclaim humanity.
Tower Dominion
Build and design the terrain while defending your stronghold against alien invasion in this unique Roguelike tower defense. Choose from 30 heroes, survive enemy waves, and upgrade a variety of destructive towers to hold the line!
Deck of Haunts
Deck of Haunts invites you to become a malevolent Haunted House. Lure humans into your cursed halls, manipulate their fears, and drain their essence to grow your power. Use strategy to build your mansion and expand your dark influence, turning your home into a terrifying, inescapable nightmare.
Warfare Legacy Collection
Warfare 1917 and 1944 return, fully remastered with enhanced visuals, full-screen support, and custom battles. Warfare Legacy Collection also Includes the Battle of the Bulge, a brand-new campaign set during WWII’s final offensive with all-new missions, snowy maps, and intense front-line action.
Castle Of Alchemists
Defend your castle in this fast-paced tower defense/action hybrid game with stunning pixel art graphics! Play as alchemically enhanced warrior Bellator, set traps, build towers, craft powerful weapons, and defend your home! The fate of the castle lies in your hands!
Gnomes
Gnomes is a turn-based tower defense with deep roguelike progression, set in ever-expanding, procedurally generated biomes. Build, farm and defend your village as you push deeper into goblin-infested territory. Unlock powerful upgrades and craft your environment to survive the endless goblin horde
SHOOPER NOVA
Craft Your Ultimate Circular Fortress! Dive into SHOOPER NOVA, where you choose props and components to build a unique fortress. Unlock combos to shape your strategy and battle style. Become an unstoppable barrage machine and obliterate waves of enemies from all directions!
Nordhold
Enemies are coming! Every decision matters: build your city, grow the economy, and prepare for enemy waves. Strengthen your defenses, adapt your strategy, and unleash your hero’s full potential. This unique Tower Defense will test your skills – are you worthy to claim a place at Valhalla?
Ancient Cultivatrix
"Ancient Cultivatrix" is a Roguelite cultivation game with tower defense elements. The world was corrupted by chaos and became utterly depraved. Please gather the surviving cultivatrices and unite them. Enhance Taoist energy and spiritual prowess together, gradually uncovering the elusive truth.
Astronomics
Top-down action and space exploration meet asteroid mining automation! Navigate to randomly generated asteroids passing by and start mining. Impress your employer, upgrade your equipment, fight off pirates and save up for that ticket to Earth so you can finally come home... for the very first time.
Border Pioneer
As the kingdom's most promising pioneer, embark on a legendary journey to tame the frontier! Build thriving towns across various landscapes, fending off waves of diverse enemies until you establish a firm foothold and have explored everything the eye can see!
Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap
Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap combines chaotic third-person combat with devious trap-laying strategy. Enjoy endless replayability as your War Mage grows stronger through roguelite progression. Repel relentless orc hordes solo or with up to 4 players.
IDUN - Frontline Survival
A defense RTS where you can move turrets at will. Extract resources, upgrade technology, and defend against enemy swarms in a gripping space campaign. Hold the line, set up your turrets, and brace for screen-filling hordes!
Age of Darkness: Final Stand
Age of Darkness: Final Stand is a dark fantasy survival RTS where you must illuminate, build and defend humanity’s last bastion against hordes of Nightmares. Set in the remnants of a kingdom consumed by a deadly fog, you decide. Will you hide in the light? Or take back your world.
Creeper World IXE
The unstoppable alien force known as The Creeper has returned, devouring thousands of worlds in its path, and yours is next. Battle against the Creeper fluid in a groundbreaking pixel-level simulation to prove that humanity will rule the galaxy forever!
Rogue Command
Classic RTS gameplay fused with a modern roguelike. Shape your build each run by assembling an evolving arsenal of powerful units and facilities. Harvest resources, build out your base. Raise your army and call down orbital strikes to overcome the forces threatening your survival.
Epic Auto Towers
Epic Auto Towers is a turn-based strategy game combining elements of autobattler, deckbuilder and roguelike. Purchase uncommon and rare Towers and build the strongest combo to withstand the monster assault! Discover unusual new Tower combinations as you come back for more.
Tower Factory
Tower Factory is a tower defense and automation game with roguelite elements. Optimize resource production using conveyor systems while defending against monster waves. Can you find and destroy the enemy tower before it's too late?
Ark of Charon
Build a mobile fortress on the back of a giant and mysterious walking Tree and embark on a journey in this merge of tower defense and colony simulation.
ShapeHero Factory
ShapeHero Factory is a game that fuses the factory simulation, roguelite, and tower defense genres. Use different shape combinations to mass-produce a variety of heroes, who will then fight all on their own. All you need to worry about is building the optimal factory to manufacture them.
Thronefall
A minimalist game about building and defending your little kingdom.
Diplomacy is Not an Option
Diplomacy is Not an Option is a strategy game set in a medieval fantasy world. Build your town and defenses, raise huge armies and fight against massive hordes of enemies. How long can you survive?
Guardians of the Sanctree
You and allies, avian inhabitants of Sanctree City, build structures and production lines on the tree, crafting weapons to fend off subterranean insects. Defense is just the start—dig deeper, destroy nests, fortify new defenses against escalating threats for an impregnable stronghold.
Dread Dawn
This is an open-world zombie survival game set in a quarantined city. You play as a student left behind due to missing the evacuation convoy. Together with classmates and other survivors, you must defend the school, survive, and await rescue.
Most played tower defense games on Steam
Take a look at the top tower defense games that are currently attracting the largest player bases on the Steam platform, as of June 14th 2025.
1. Bloons TD 6
The Bloons are back and better than ever! Get ready for a massive 3D tower defense game designed to give you hours and hours of the best strategy gaming available. Bloons TD 6 is a tower defense, strategy and multiplayer game developed and published by Ninja Kiwi. Released on December 17th 2018 has received 353,960 reviews of which 344,269 were positive and 9,691 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.6 out of 10. The game has hit the top spot as the #1 most played tower defense game, thanks to its 8,083 peak concurrent players over the last day.
9.6
344,269
9,691
8,083
players
2. Plants vs. Zombies GOTY Edition
Zombies are invading your home, and the only defense is your arsenal of plants! Armed with an alien nursery-worth of zombie-zapping plants like peashooters and cherry bombs, you'll need to think fast and plant faster to stop dozens of types of zombies dead in their tracks. Plants vs. Zombies GOTY Edition is a tower defense, zombies and strategy game developed by PopCap Games and Inc. and published by PopCap Games, Inc. and Electronic Arts. Released on May 05th 2009 has received 139,925 reviews of which 136,574 were positive and 3,351 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.6 out of 10. While seeing 1,667 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #2 among tower defense games based on player count.
9.6
136,574
3,351
1,667
players
3. Tower Dominion
Build and design the terrain while defending your stronghold against alien invasion in this unique Roguelike tower defense. Choose from 30 heroes, survive enemy waves, and upgrade a variety of destructive towers to hold the line! Tower Dominion is a tower defense, strategy and base-building game developed and published by Parallel 45 Games. Released on May 07th 2025 has received 1,843 reviews of which 1,539 were positive and 304 were negative resulting in a rating of 8 out of 10. While seeing 1,074 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #3 among tower defense games based on player count.
8
1,539
304
1,074
players
4. Idle Hero TD - Tower Defense
Endless idle tower defense game full of deep strategy and combat mechanics. Unlock and upgrade dozens of epic fantasy heroes to defeat an infinite swarm of enemy monsters. Strategize hero positions, synergies, and skills for an effective defense, then sit back and let the auto-battler do its thing! Idle Hero TD - Tower Defense is a early access, strategy and tower defense game developed and published by Swell Games LLC. Released on May 03rd 2024 has received 665 reviews of which 548 were positive and 117 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. With 1,060 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played tower defense games.
7.8
548
117
1,060
players
5. Legion TD 2 - Multiplayer Tower Defense
An infinitely replayable multiplayer and single-player tower defense. Defend against waves of enemies and destroy the enemy's king before they destroy yours. Legion TD 2 is a one-of-a-kind game of tactics, teamwork, and prediction. Party as 1-8 players. Legion TD 2 - Multiplayer Tower Defense is a tower defense, multiplayer and auto battler game developed and published by AutoAttack Games. Released on October 01st 2021 has received 13,550 reviews of which 11,713 were positive and 1,837 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. With 745 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played tower defense games.
8.4
11,713
1,837
745
players
6. Kingdom Two Crowns
Gather coins, build defenses and reclaim your fallen Kingdom. Explore and uncover secrets, unlock new technologies and protect your crown versus waves of Greed monsters that come at night. Kingdom is a solo or co-op micro-strategy and tower defense game set in an atmospheric pixel world. Kingdom Two Crowns is a tower defense, minimalist and city builder game developed by Stumpy🐙Squid, Fury Studios and Coatsink and published by Raw Fury. Released on December 11th 2018 has received 7,063 reviews of which 6,244 were positive and 819 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. With 739 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played tower defense games.
8.6
6,244
819
739
players
7. Mindustry
An open-ended factory management game with RTS and tower defense elements. Mindustry is a base-building, resource management and tower defense game developed and published by AnukenDev. Released on September 26th 2019 has received 22,266 reviews of which 21,329 were positive and 937 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. With 539 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played tower defense games.
9.4
21,329
937
539
players
8. Bloons TD Battles 2
From the creators of Bloons TD6... Bloons TD Battles 2 is a brand new installment of the top-rated head-to-head tower defense game. Gather your Hero, choose your team of powerful Monkey Towers, and prepare to battle one on one against other players and relentless waves of Bloons! Bloons TD Battles 2 is a free to play, tower defense and multiplayer game developed and published by Ninja Kiwi. Released on November 30th 2021 has received 32,320 reviews of which 27,193 were positive and 5,127 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.3 out of 10. With 537 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played tower defense games.
8.3
27,193
5,127
537
players
9. The Perfect Tower II
The Perfect Tower II is a mix between an incremental and a tower defense game. Build a town, manage resources and explore a variety of mini-games and tons of upgrades. Fully automate your game and watch numbers going up! The Perfect Tower II is a strategy, idler and tower defense game developed and published by Fire Sword Studios. Released on February 26th 2021 has received 3,639 reviews of which 3,201 were positive and 438 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. With 514 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played tower defense games.
8.5
3,201
438
514
players
10. Wall World
Explore the mysterious Wall World on your giant robospider: mine for valuable resources, upgrade your equipment to fight off hordes of monsters, and discover exotic biomes in-between attacks. Will you be able to survive and learn the secrets of the Wall World? Wall World is a rogue-lite, mining and pixel graphics game developed and published by Alawar. Released on April 05th 2023 has received 10,001 reviews of which 9,127 were positive and 874 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.9 out of 10. With 447 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played tower defense games.
8.9
9,127
874
447
players
Best deals on tower defense games on Steam
Discover fantastic savings with the best discounts on a variety of tower defense games available on Steam right now, updated on June 14th 2025. Looking for even more deals? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of discounted tower defense games.
1. WARCANA
WARCANA is a fantasy inspired base defence, RTS game with a deck-building mechanic. Face hundreds of thousands of unrelenting monsters in a battle royale between 30 other mighty magicians. Build your deck. Prepare your defences. Summon your armies. Survive the onslaught. Be the last one standing. WARCANA is a strategy, card game and card battler game developed by 1000 Orks and published by Team17. Released on August 29th 2024 has received 444 reviews of which 295 were positive and 149 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.4 out of 10. Featuring a massive 99% discount, this game currently holds the #1 spot in the best deals for tower defense category.
6.4
295
149
-99%
16.99€
0.32€
2. HERO DEFENSE
CREEPS CRUMBLE. HEROES RISE. Command a team of renegade heroes and impale, slash, tear and burn through legions of undead hell-bent on world domination. Your mission: to defeat the world’s most powerful vampire, Count Necrosis. HERO DEFENSE is a tower defense, strategy and indie game developed by Happy Tuesday and published by Headup. Released on May 31st 2016 has received 747 reviews of which 471 were positive and 276 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.1 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 99% discount, this game is now the #2 best deal in tower defense games.
6.1
471
276
-99%
29.99€
0.56€
3. X-Morph: Defense
Unique fusion of a top-down shooter and tower defense strategy. You are the invader! Use destructive weapons or lead your enemies into a maze of towers. Strategize in the build mode by carefully selecting various types of alien towers or throw yourself right into the heat of the battle. X-Morph: Defense is a tower defense, strategy and action game developed by and published by Exor Studios. Released on August 30th 2017 has received 3,823 reviews of which 3,506 were positive and 317 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 98% discount, this game is now the #3 best deal in tower defense games.
8.8
3,506
317
-98%
19.99€
0.54€
4. AI War 2
The most devious and acclaimed artificial intelligence in strategy gaming is better than ever. A grand strategy/RTS hybrid that reverses many conventions of both genres. Take territory without attracting attention, build your empire with care, and adapt to an ever-evolving galactic battleground. AI War 2 is a 4x, grand strategy and multiplayer game developed and published by Arcen Games and LLC. Released on October 22nd 2019 has received 1,490 reviews of which 1,318 were positive and 172 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 98% discount, this title has earned the #4 position in the best deals for tower defense games.
8.4
1,318
172
-98%
19.50€
0.49€
5. DG2: Defense Grid 2
Setting the bar as the definitive tower defense game, Defense Grid 2 introduces new worlds and threats to test your tower placement strategies. With a bold new look and the addition of new game modes, player-versus-player and multiplayer co-op, every play brings fun new opportunities and challenges. DG2: Defense Grid 2 is a strategy, tower defense and indie game developed by Hidden Path Entertainment and published by Hidden Path Entertainment and 505 Games. Released on September 23rd 2014 has received 3,163 reviews of which 2,723 were positive and 440 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.3 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 98% discount, this title has earned the #5 position in the best deals for tower defense games.
8.3
2,723
440
-98%
12.49€
0.26€
6. Go Home Dinosaurs!
Todd Rex wants steak. Todd Rex wants YOUR steak. Are you gonna let him take it? No way! Go Home, Dinosaurs!Prevent hordes of marauding Dinos from crashing your party in the world’s premier BBQ defense simulator! Unlock powerful towers that act like little weaponized puzzle pieces. Go Home Dinosaurs! is a tower defense, casual and strategy game developed and published by Fire Hose Games. Released on March 14th 2013 has received 600 reviews of which 524 were positive and 76 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.2 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 98% discount, this title has earned the #6 position in the best deals for tower defense games.
8.2
524
76
-98%
9.75€
0.29€
7. Deathtrap
Deathtrap is a Tower Defense game with strong action-RPG elements, a game of vicious tricks, killing machines, rotating blades and splattering blood. Deathtrap is a tower defense, rpg and action game developed and published by NeocoreGames. Released on February 04th 2015 has received 2,194 reviews of which 1,842 were positive and 352 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.1 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 98% discount, this title has earned the #7 position in the best deals for tower defense games.
8.1
1,842
352
-98%
19.99€
0.49€
8. GemCraft - Chasing Shadows
An epic, challenging tower defense game with an emphasis on strategy and replayability. Summon gems of immense magical potency and harness their unique abilities against a seemingly endless horde of monsters. The archdemon seeks to swallow the world, and you must journey to stand against her. GemCraft - Chasing Shadows is a tower defense, strategy and indie game developed by Game in a Bottle and published by Armor Games Studios. Released on April 30th 2015 has received 4,136 reviews of which 3,939 were positive and 197 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 97% discount, this title has earned the #8 position in the best deals for tower defense games.
9.2
3,939
197
-97%
9.75€
0.36€
9. Sanctum 2
Sanctum 2 is the sequel to the world’s first Tower Defense/FPS hybrid game. Pick from four unique character classes and embark on a mission to protect the oxygen-producing Cores from hordes of deadly aliens who are threatened by their existence. Sanctum 2 is a tower defense, fps and co-op game developed by Coffee Stain Studios and published by Coffee Stain Publishing. Released on May 15th 2013 has received 14,291 reviews of which 12,856 were positive and 1,435 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 96% discount, this title has earned the #9 position in the best deals for tower defense games.
8.8
12,856
1,435
-96%
14.99€
0.70€
10. Warpips
Warpips is the ultimate quick to learn but amazingly deep tug-of-war strategy game. Deploy the right composition of soldiers, tanks, helicopters and planes in this tight, streamlined strategy-focused war game. Compose the best army, research the right tech; overwhelm your enemy! Warpips is a strategy, tower defense and rts game developed by Skirmish Mode Games and published by Daedalic Entertainment. Released on April 21st 2022 has received 4,489 reviews of which 3,949 were positive and 540 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 96% discount, this title has earned the #10 position in the best deals for tower defense games.
8.5
3,949
540
-96%
14.99€
0.68€
Free tower defense games on Steam
Check out this fantastic list of free-to-play tower defense games you can enjoy on Steam right now, updated on June 14th 2025. Looking for even more free titles? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of free to play tower defense games.
1. Idle Hero TD - Tower Defense
Endless idle tower defense game full of deep strategy and combat mechanics. Unlock and upgrade dozens of epic fantasy heroes to defeat an infinite swarm of enemy monsters. Strategize hero positions, synergies, and skills for an effective defense, then sit back and let the auto-battler do its thing! Idle Hero TD - Tower Defense is a early access, strategy and tower defense game developed and published by Swell Games LLC. Released on May 03rd 2024 has received 665 reviews of which 548 were positive and 117 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. With 1,060 active players enjoying it for free, this strategy game has reached the #1 spot among the top free tower defense games on Steam.
7.8
548
117
1,060
players
2. Bloons TD Battles 2
From the creators of Bloons TD6... Bloons TD Battles 2 is a brand new installment of the top-rated head-to-head tower defense game. Gather your Hero, choose your team of powerful Monkey Towers, and prepare to battle one on one against other players and relentless waves of Bloons! Bloons TD Battles 2 is a free to play, tower defense and multiplayer game developed and published by Ninja Kiwi. Released on November 30th 2021 has received 32,320 reviews of which 27,193 were positive and 5,127 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.3 out of 10. Thanks to its free to play tag and a daily player base of 537, this tower defense game has secured the #2 spot in the ranking of free tower defense games on Steam.
8.3
27,193
5,127
537
players
3. The Perfect Tower II
The Perfect Tower II is a mix between an incremental and a tower defense game. Build a town, manage resources and explore a variety of mini-games and tons of upgrades. Fully automate your game and watch numbers going up! The Perfect Tower II is a strategy, idler and tower defense game developed and published by Fire Sword Studios. Released on February 26th 2021 has received 3,639 reviews of which 3,201 were positive and 438 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. Thanks to its free to play tag and a daily player base of 514, this tower defense game has secured the #3 spot in the ranking of free tower defense games on Steam.
8.5
3,201
438
514
players
4. Dungeon Defenders II
Dungeon Defenders II is a cooperative Action Tower Defense game packed with roleplaying elements like loot, leveling, and pets. Dungeon Defenders II is a multiplayer, online co-op and co-op campaign game developed and published by Chromatic Games. Released on June 20th 2017 has received 21,823 reviews of which 16,882 were positive and 4,941 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.6 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 343 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #4 position in the best free tower defense games on Steam.
7.6
16,882
4,941
343
players
5. Bloons Monkey City
Create, upgrade, and customize your very own Bloons Monkey City in this groundbreaking blend of city building and tower defense awesomeness! Bloons Monkey City is a free to play, strategy and action game developed and published by Ninja Kiwi. Released on April 10th 2020 has received 6,222 reviews of which 5,676 were positive and 546 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 252 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #5 position in the best free tower defense games on Steam.
8.8
5,676
546
252
players
6. Bloons TD Battles
Go head to head with other players in a Bloon-popping battle for victory. From the creators of best-selling Bloons TD 5, this all new Battles game is specially designed for multiplayer combat, featuring the ability to control bloons directly and send them charging past your opponent's defenses. Bloons TD Battles is a free to play, tower defense and multiplayer game developed and published by Ninja Kiwi. Released on April 20th 2016 has received 29,096 reviews of which 26,414 were positive and 2,682 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.9 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 239 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #6 position in the best free tower defense games on Steam.
8.9
26,414
2,682
239
players
7. Infinitode 2 - Infinite Tower Defense
Infinitode 2 - a strategy in the Tower Defense genre, in which the player will have to build towers to protect his base from endless waves of enemies. The game features huge maps, lots of towers, resource miners, upgrade tree and map editor. Infinitode 2 - Infinite Tower Defense is a level editor, tower defense and building game developed and published by Prineside. Released on May 06th 2021 has received 3,674 reviews of which 3,354 were positive and 320 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 183 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #7 position in the best free tower defense games on Steam.
8.8
3,354
320
183
players
8. Ninja Kiwi Archive
Enjoy some of the best loved Flash games of the past in this awesome time capsule of over 60 Ninja Kiwi classics. Experience a piece of history and play the original Flash games that spawned the worldwide phenomenon of Bloons TD. Ninja Kiwi Archive is a casual, arcade and strategy game developed and published by Ninja Kiwi. Released on July 08th 2020 has received 5,439 reviews of which 5,107 were positive and 332 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 153 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #8 position in the best free tower defense games on Steam.
9.1
5,107
332
153
players
9. Bloons Adventure Time TD
Defend Ooo from the Bloon invasion in this epic tower defense crossover. Bloons Adventure Time TD is a strategy, action and tower defense game developed and published by Ninja Kiwi. Released on January 16th 2019 has received 4,302 reviews of which 3,743 were positive and 559 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. The game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played free tower defense games on Steam.
8.4
3,743
559
84
players
10. Idle Monster TD: Evolved
Evolve epic monsters and crush puny humans in this endless idle tower defense game! Unlock, upgrade, and evolve over 150 unique monsters and pets, ranging from cute and colorful flower creatures to epic fire breathing dragons, to assemble the ultimate team against the endless waves of enemies. Idle Monster TD: Evolved is a idler, tower defense and strategy game developed and published by Monstermob USA and INC. Released on November 16th 2022 has received 1,199 reviews of which 930 were positive and 269 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.4 out of 10. The game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played free tower defense games on Steam.
7.4
930
269
64
players