In a notable turn of events, Battlefield 6 has eclipsed Call of Duty's record on Steam by boasting an impressive 520,000 simultaneous players, despite EA acknowledging ongoing efforts to streamline those lengthy initial loading periods.
Battlefield 6's open beta has set a new record for the franchise, attracting a massive number of players. With over 520,000 concurrent players on Steam, the game has surpassed Call of Duty's launch peak on the platform, setting it at number 18 on Steam's all-time most-played list[1][2][5].
However, the large player count has also made Battlefield 6 an attractive target for cheaters. EA, the game's developer, is taking measures to ensure a fair and enjoyable experience for all players. They are working on entry times to reduce waiting times for players during the open beta[3].
Despite the potential for increased cheating, EA is committed to providing a smooth and fair experience for all players. They remind players of the importance of fair play and sportsmanship[4]. The company also encourages players to report any suspicious activities within the game[6].
The high number of players in the open beta may put additional strain on the anti-cheat system. EA has already blocked over 330,000 cheaters in the open beta[7]. However, they acknowledge that their anti-cheat system is not a "silver bullet," and more cheaters are expected to flood the open beta[8].
Despite the challenges, Battlefield 6's open beta performance indicates a welcome sign of competition in the FPS genre, as predicted by Blizzard's former exec[9]. The game has a higher peak concurrent player count than Call of Duty on Steam but remains behind Apex Legends, the top FPS on Steam, which boasts around 624,000 peak players[1].
During the second weekend of the beta, player count was around 270,000 concurrent players on Steam, with some matchmaking and DLSS issues reported[3]. The high engagement for a beta shows a promising sign for the game's future.
The real test for Battlefield 6 will be its sustained player count post-launch. Only time will tell if it can maintain its strong player interest and continue to challenge Apex Legends and Call of Duty in the FPS genre.
References
- SteamDB - Battlefield 6
- Steam Charts - Battlefield 6
- Battlefield 6 Beta: Player Count, Matchmaking, DLSS Issues, and More
- Battlefield 6's Open Beta Warns Players About Cheaters
- Battlefield 6's Open Beta Breaks Franchise Record on Steam
- Battlefield 6 Open Beta: EA Encourages Players to Report Suspicious Activities
- Battlefield 6 Open Beta: EA Blocks Over 330,000 Cheaters
- Battlefield 6 Open Beta: EA Acknowledges Anti-Cheat System Is Not a "Silver Bullet"
- Battlefield 6 Open Beta Performance Signals Competition in the FPS Genre
- EA is working to reduce waiting times for players during the Battlefield 6 open beta, as a large player count has attracted cheaters.
- Despite the ongoing issue with cheaters in Battlefield 6, EA is reminding players of the importance of fair play and sportsmanship.
- The high number of players in the Battlefield 6 open beta may strain the anti-cheat system, with over 330,000 cheaters already blocked by EA.
- Battlefield 6's record-breaking open beta has raised hopes for a strong competition in the FPS genre, surpassing Call of Duty's launch peak on Steam but remaining behind Apex Legends.
