The excitement surrounding Battlefield 6 is creating an unexpected boost for its predecessor, Battlefield 2042, which has now surpassed Call of Duty in Steam’s player charts!
Initially released in 2021, Battlefield 2042 faced a rocky launch marred by technical glitches and unfavorable reviews. Despite DICE’s ongoing efforts to enhance the game through updates and fresh content, it struggled to achieve the success EA envisioned. However, with the countdown to the highly anticipated Battlefield 6, the game is witnessing a remarkable resurgence in popularity.
The recent open beta for Battlefield 6 was a resounding success, attracting over 500,000 concurrent players on Steam. This impressive number even exceeded the all-time peak for Call of Duty, showcasing the rekindled interest in the Battlefield series.
Although the beta servers are now closed, the momentum has carried over to Battlefield 2042. According to SteamCharts, the game recently peaked at more than 74,000 concurrent players, while Call of Duty managed around 70,000. On a different day, Battlefield 2042 reached 69,138 players compared to Call of Duty’s 63,592.
This sudden increase in player numbers isn’t solely due to the Battlefield 6 hype. EA is currently running a farewell event for Battlefield 2042, offering Pax Armata-themed skins that players can carry into the upcoming game. Moreover, the price of Battlefield 2042 has dropped to just $3 on Steam, making it an attractive choice for both new and returning players.
A recent update introduced the Iwo Jima map and a complimentary Battle Pass with rewards connected to Battlefield 6, giving players even more reasons to dive back into the action. However, reports indicate that many players are utilizing active servers for AFK XP farming rather than engaging in active gameplay.
It’s important to note that while Battlefield 2042 may have outperformed Call of Duty on Steam, the latter still boasts a significantly larger player base on consoles, which Steam statistics do not capture. Nevertheless, the fact that thousands of players are revisiting a game that previously struggled to maintain relevance speaks volumes about the anticipation for Battlefield 6.
Mark your calendars! Battlefield 6 launches on October 10 across PC, PlayStation, and Xbox. With this release, EA has a golden opportunity to revitalize its franchise. If the full launch can capitalize on the open beta’s success, it might finally provide some real competition for Call of Duty this year!
