Impressive Steam Start Sets the Tone for Battlefield 6
Battlefield 6 has kicked off on Steam with a remarkable surge of activity, quickly cementing its status as one of the platform’s most-watched launches. At the time of reporting, the first-person shooter had surged to 747,440 concurrent players, making it the second most-played game on Steam behind Counter-Strike 2. This performance catapults Battlefield 6 into the rank of Steam’s top titles and puts it on a fast track to join the ranks of the platform’s most-played games ever.
To put this into perspective, the open beta for Battlefield 6 peaked at 521,079 concurrent players, meaning the full release has attracted a substantial (and historically larger) audience. It also surpassed EA’s own free-to-play hit Apex Legends on Steam, highlighting the bold leap in player interest and engagement now that Battlefield 6 is officially live and fully priced at a premium $70 entry point for new fans and returning players alike.
From Open Beta to Launch — Why the Surge Feels Different
The jump from beta to launch is more than a numbers game. It reflects persistent hype around Battlefield’s new era of large-scale, modern combat and a willingness from players to invest in a big-budget shooter during a crowded year for the genre. Early access queues are a reality, but they don’t seem to dampen the sentiment, with many servers clearing relatively quickly and players finding matches with reasonable wait times for a blockbuster release.
Analysts and fans are noting Battlefield 6’s robust community activity on Steam as a strong indicator of how the game will sustain momentum. While official PlayStation and Xbox concurrent numbers aren’t published, the PC launch’s sheer scale suggests a broad multi-platform audience that could push total concurrent players well into the millions as the weekend unfolds.
How Battlefield 6 Stacks Up Against the Competition
Even as Battlefield 6 stirs interest on Steam, it faces stiff competition from a few formidable peers. The Call of Duty franchise maintains a massive, enduring presence across platforms, and the Call of Duty app’s combined Steam activity for all titles has historically hovered around significant peaks. Yet Battlefield 6’s Steam numbers — already outpacing even EA’s own Apex Legends in concurrent players — signal a notable shift in player preference toward a modern, expansive battlefield experience.
When compared to Counter-Strike 2, Battlefield 6 trails the current Steam king in raw concurrent players, but the gap at launch is close enough to underscore a powerful start for a brand-new release. The real test will be how long Battlefield 6 can keep this momentum as new content rolls out and Season 1 begins, shaping the game’s long-term trajectory on Valve’s platform.
What This Means for EA and the Battlefield Franchise
EA now has a fresh, high-visibility entry that could influence the publisher’s roadmap for future content and monetization strategies. The strong Steam performance provides data-backed proof that Battlefield 6 has the legs to sustain a thriving player base, which is crucial for live-service plans, map rotations, and seasonal events. The arrival of fan-created content—such as recreations of classic maps in Portal—also signals healthy community engagement that EA could nurture with official collaborations and more diverse game modes.
For players, the early days of Battlefield 6 are about adjusting to the new balance, learning the loadouts, and discovering how the mapping and vehicle dynamics interplay in large-scale battles. The /open vs. closed weapons discussions that emerged during beta continue to be a point of interest as players test different configurations under live conditions. If you’re coming fresh to the battlefield, our guides and tips can help you hit the ground running and climb the ranks faster.
What to Expect Next
As the launch period continues, expect Battlefield 6 to introduce post-launch updates, balance patches, and Season 1 content that expands the battlefield and adds new challenges. For now, the Steam numbers offer a powerful signal that the game has entered the conversation with a bang, setting a high bar for competitive shooters in 2025.
Wesley Yin-Poole, IGN Director of News, will continue to track Battlefield 6’s growth across platforms and through post-launch seasons. For readers, staying tuned to IGN’s coverage will provide ongoing insights into how the game evolves and what new content players can look forward to in the weeks ahead.
