Battlefield 6 just beat Call of Duty...

Summary

Battlefield 6 has broken records on Steam, surpassing previous peaks set by Call of Duty, reaching 521,000 concurrent players. The game's open beta is creating a major buzz, with both old and new players flocking to experience its immersive, next-gen features, such as dynamic smoke, destructible environments, and realistic physics. While Call of Duty continues its strategy of appealing to older consoles, Battlefield 6 offers a fresh, grounded aesthetic and innovative gameplay. Despite a few technical issues, like the lack of persistent servers, Battlefield 6 is drawing attention and could become a serious contender in the gaming landscape this holiday season.

Takeaways

• 😀 Battlefield 6 has set a new peak of 521,000 concurrent players on Steam, surpassing the previous record held by Call of Duty's Warzone 2 and Black Ops 6.
• 😀 The Steam player base for Call of Duty includes multiple games and Warzone, which is free-to-play, making the Battlefield 6 numbers even more impressive.
• 😀 Battlefield 6 is drawing in old players who haven't touched the franchise in years, with many upgrading their PCs to play the game.
• 😀 The game has a mix of old-school elements, like chaotic gameplay and sandbox features, making it fun for casual gamers and veterans alike.
• 😀 Battlefield 6's open beta features unexpected parkour routes, showing a mix of traditional gameplay and creative, new strategies.
• 😀 The game does not appear to have skill-based matchmaking, leaning more into a casual and fun experience without constant competition with similar players.
• 😀 Battlefield 6 feels like a next-gen title due to its technical improvements, like volumetric smoke and interactive destruction, which enhance immersion.
• 😀 Many players are seeing Battlefield 6 as a refreshing break from Call of Duty's stagnant gameplay, which hasn't evolved much in recent years.
• 😀 Call of Duty has struggled with an identity crisis, with the inclusion of unrealistic skins and cosmetic changes that alienate some players.
• 😀 Battlefield 6 is marketed with a grounded, authentic aesthetic, focusing on realistic soldier skins, environments, and weapons, appealing to more mature gamers.
• 😀 Battlefield 6's anti-cheat system is being actively improved, with significant efforts to prevent cheating, but it still faces challenges with cheaters in the open beta.

Q & A

What record did Battlefield 6 set on Steam?

Battlefield 6 reached a peak of 521,000 concurrent players on Steam, setting a new record for the franchise and surpassing the previous record set by Call of Duty.

How does Battlefield 6's player count compare to Call of Duty's recent releases?

Battlefield 6 surpassed Call of Duty's most recent records. Call of Duty's Black Ops 6 peaked at 315,000 concurrent players, and Warzone 2 peaked at 491,000, while Battlefield 6 reached 521,000.

What factors make the Battlefield 6 numbers more impressive compared to Call of Duty?

The Battlefield 6 numbers are considered more impressive because the COD launcher on Steam includes multiple games, including free-to-play Warzone, while Battlefield 6's beta was free and was only counted on Steam.

Why is there so much excitement around Battlefield 6?

The excitement stems from the game's return to old-school mechanics, a fresh experience for both long-time and new players, and the game's successful social media presence and open beta, which attracted many gamers who hadn't played a Battlefield title in years.

What aspects of Battlefield 6 appeal to both old and new players?

Battlefield 6 appeals to both old and new players due to its fun, sandbox-style gameplay, familiar old-school elements like defib kills and car chaos, and immersive details like volumetric smoke and realistic destruction physics.

How does the game’s technical details contribute to its next-gen feel?

The technical details, such as realistic smoke interactions, dynamic lighting, destructible environments, and micro-interactions (like shattered glass reacting with your gun), create an immersive experience, giving it a next-gen feel that earlier console generations couldn't provide.

What impact has the decision to not release Call of Duty on old consoles had?

The decision to exclude old consoles from Battlefield 6 allowed the game to push technical boundaries, leading to a more immersive experience. Meanwhile, Call of Duty's decision to support PS4 and Xbox One may limit innovation, as the game needs to cater to older hardware.

What is Battlefield 6’s stance on skill-based matchmaking?

Battlefield 6 does not use strict skill-based matchmaking, which gives players a more casual, fun experience without constantly facing opponents of similar skill levels, aligning with the game's old-school vibe.

What aesthetic differences exist between Battlefield 6 and Call of Duty?

Battlefield 6 maintains a grounded, realistic aesthetic with real soldier skins, environments, and weapons, making it relatable to older gamers, while Call of Duty has shifted to a more cartoonish and bizarre aesthetic with characters like Nicki Minaj and animals, which may alienate some players.

How is Battlefield 6 addressing cheating in the open beta?

EA has implemented measures to combat cheating by preventing over 330,000 attempts and reporting over 100,000 instances of potential cheaters, showing a strong commitment to anti-cheat efforts and improving detection systems.