Gamers seeking alternatives after the conclusion of Battlefield 6's open beta trial.
In the year 2021, the battlefield for online multiplayer games was dominated by a new contender - Battlefield 2042. Launching that year, the game peaked at approximately 105,000 concurrent players on Steam, making it the most popular Battlefield title of the year [1].
Despite a challenging start and lower player sentiment at release compared to previous titles, Battlefield 2042 managed to maintain significant player interest, particularly with updates and content support over time. Other Battlefield games from earlier years did not show comparable player spikes in 2021 [1].
As we move beyond 2021, there is speculation of a resurgence of Battlefield 2042 players linked to the upcoming Battlefield 6 [3][5]. However, our focus remains on the year 2021, during which Battlefield 2042 reigned supreme.
Fast forward to the present, and Battlefield 2042 has seen a dip in its player count, reaching around 9,000 players recently [2]. Some critics, including the author, have expressed disinterest in the game, comparing it unfavourably to titles like Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare [4].
Meanwhile, anticipation for Battlefield 6 is high. Known for its large player base, Battlefield 6 is seen as having a serious chance to impact the hype surrounding Call of Duty: Black Ops 7's war-themed sequel category [6]. The author is eagerly awaiting the return of Battlefield 6's Open Beta, scheduled for Thursday [4].
After the Open Beta, the author plans to check the player numbers on SteamDB for a clearer picture of the game's popularity. Interestingly, despite its World War II theme, Battlefield V has managed to maintain a higher player count than Battlefield 1, even though the latter was praised for its lesser-known weaponry and vehicles [7].
In the realm of speculation and rumours, BattleBit Remastered, another game in the series, is said to have undergone an abandoned development called "Operation Overhaul" [8]. BattleBit Remastered peaked at over 87,000 players in June 2023, but has since dwindled [9]. The author expresses a hope for a comeback for this game.
It's worth noting that unlike BattleBit Remastered, Battlefield 6 requires Secure Boot, a requirement not present in the older game [9]. The Open Beta for Battlefield 6 was available from the early hours of Thursday to the morning of Monday [6].
As players eagerly await the release of Battlefield 6, they can look back on the year 2021, when Battlefield 2042 took the battlefield by storm, despite a mixed reception.
References: [1] Battlefield 2042 Statistics - Peak Concurrent Players in 2021 [2] Battlefield 2042 - Recent Player Count [3] Battlefield 2042 - Resurgence in 2025 [4] The Author's Opinion on Battlefield 2042 and Battlefield 6 [5] Battlefield 6 - Impact on Battlefield 2042 [6] Battlefield 6 Open Beta Dates and Timings [7] Battlefield V vs Battlefield 1 - Player Count Comparison [8] BattleBit Remastered - Operation Overhaul Rumours [9] BattleBit Remastered - Peak Player Count and Current Status
