Battlefield 6 has taken the gaming world by storm with its open beta, reaching an astonishing peak of over 500,000 concurrent players on Steam just after launching on August 9, 2025. This remarkable achievement has shattered previous franchise records, easily surpassing Battlefield 2042’s peak and even eclipsing the numbers of its rival, the Call of Duty series.
EA and D.I.C.E. have successfully tapped into the demand for a refined, large-scale FPS experience. Drawing inspiration from popular entries like Battlefield 3, Battlefield 4, and Battlefield: Bad Company 2, they’ve delivered realistic and engaging gunplay. While Battlefield capitalizes on this grounded approach, Call of Duty has been focusing on microtransactions for cosmetic bundles and skins, which has left some fans puzzled about its direction.
Activision remains confident, however, that Call of Duty Black Ops 7 will remain competitive, especially as a sequel to the highly acclaimed Black Ops II. It’s set to release just a month after Battlefield 6, bringing its own narrative depth.
While comparing the two franchises is challenging due to Battlefield 6’s open beta being free-to-play, its official release on October 10 will come with a price tag. This might influence player numbers, but for now, surpassing Call of Duty’s Steam peak is enough to have everyone talking.
Despite its success, the Battlefield 6 open beta isn’t free from issues. Players have noticed missing animations, invisible weapons, and some glitches. Shotguns, in particular, seem to be overpowered. Yet, the overwhelming response indicates that D.I.C.E. has fulfilled many of its promises, especially given the lukewarm reception of Battlefield 2042.
Overall, Battlefield 6’s open beta has created a buzz, thrilling fans and reigniting interest in the franchise. As the community eagerly anticipates the full release, it seems clear that Battlefield is back in full force.
