CI am again from trip and I am very completely happy to see ARC Raiders are doing very effectively. It topped the Steam charts in its remaining week, and gross sales reportedly exceeded 12 million final weekend. Heck, even the information that plenty of studios are approaching Embark about making it into movie or tv is nice. In fact, it is not excellent, nevertheless it’s nice that multiplayer shooters, particularly within the extraction shooter style, can present months of pleasant expertise.
However wait. What concerning the different large multiplayer shooter launched a number of weeks in the past? The long-awaited sequel, a triple-A product that retailed for a whopping $70 and offered over 7 million copies in simply three days? What do you assume? battlefield 6?
Certainly, efficiency is simply pretty much as good, with a “blended” ranking on Steam. It is actually been trending in that course for some time, however current critiques at present present it sitting at a 53 % approval ranking. There is not any option to know the way console gamers really feel, however at the very least the PC numbers aren’t comparable both… oh, and peak concurrent participant rely was beneath 100,000. The loopy half? Final time I appeared, the 24 hour peak was 94,088. In the mean time? Someway it has gone down even additional and now Steam has 90,816 concurrent gamers.
This isn’t the primary time. It decreased much more in the course of the holidays, and the numbers have been undoubtedly larger in the course of the holidays. Seeing the variety of concurrent gamers drop considerably in 2026 isn’t an effective way to start out a brand new 12 months.
If that wasn’t unhealthy sufficient, as of December 31, 2025; battlefield 6 It solely held 16% of its most concurrent participant rely throughout its lifetime. Alternatively, the ARC Raiders managed to defend about 90% of their factors. And that is conserving in thoughts the truth that the lifetime peak for the previous is over 265,000 extra folks than the latter. Someway it is even decrease than that battlefield 2042 It is the height of my life, and in a way I really feel self-actualization.
Subsequent, let’s checklist the apparent caveats. This isn’t essentially the identical picture on the console. In actual fact, Circana’s lively person charts within the US are ranked. battlefield 6 Within the week ending December twenty seventh, it was quantity 9 on PlayStation and quantity 8 on Xbox. Moreover, these PC numbers don’t mirror the variety of folks taking part in by means of EA apps. Do not snicker! There are most likely dozens of them. Dozens!
We additionally checked out weekly lively gamers on Steam within the US and Canada and located that Circana was ranked an in depth third. counter strike 2 and ARC Raiders. In Mexico, it (for some cause) got here in 4th place behind Marvel Rivals. Subsequently, for all intents and functions, battlefield 6 It isn’t “lifeless.”
However there isn’t any denying that lots can go improper, and the temper is way much less optimistic than it was in its launch month. Followers have criticized the battle move for its gritty and annoying mechanics, together with the truth that it requires finishing weekly challenges to progress and taking part in modes you would not usually need to play. In actual fact, there was nice confusion purple sec It was launched as a result of individuals who weren’t concerned about battle royales have been pressured to play it to make significant progress.
If gamers had grudgingly put up with the excessive monetization and pores and skin costs. battlefield 6 could possibly be performed free of charge (or if there was a midway first rate possibility), nevertheless it’s $70. On prime of that, there is a lackluster marketing campaign (no co-op), fixed adverts to purchase a Battle Go, and a Battle Go with small limited-time occasions that ask for more cash. Within the title of all purity, do not even get me began on Battlefield Professional.
All of that is clearly annoying sufficient, however then the core multiplayer expertise (which had already come underneath criticism for the small dimension of Conquest maps and even smaller new modes) began to endure. Registration points, sound points, matchmaking points. Defibrillator damaged? After taking part in a match, the principle menu UI now not works.
The truth that Battlefield Studios launched not one, however two of the worst maps in a row as a part of Season 1 is spectacular in a method. Maybe not as spectacular because the AI-generated participant playing cards in that one beauty pack. This seems like one thing the workforce was attempting to experiment with and work round earlier than including it, nevertheless it nonetheless offers playful credit score the place it is due. After this, Name of Responsibility: Black Ops 7 It got here underneath heavy criticism for its extreme use of generative AI.
what’s the explanation for this recession battlefield 6 What’s much less shocking is that this isn’t a sudden decline. In actual fact, I bear in mind discussing at launch why hundreds of thousands of gamers have been so hooked on it regardless of its many flaws and shortcomings. For the primary time shortly, it felt like the event workforce was really listening, performing accordingly, addressing issues, and sustaining open communication.
Sadly, you additionally have to again it up with constant motion. To this point, most of the main updates have constantly made the sport worse. I am not speaking about steadiness adjustments, however among the Breakthrough tweaks are actually baffling (extra attacking autos? Actually?). I am speaking about all of the excellent bugs and the way every patch appears to interrupt greater than it fixes. That is most likely the largest side that separates the 2. battlefield 6 from ARC Raiders β That is along with listening to gamers, the latter gives updates which might be largely well-received by the group (donβt get me improper, there are greater than sufficient complaints).
On the finish of the day, battlefield 6 Somewhat than dying, it assessments the participant’s persistence. In spite of everything, the core gameplay nonetheless feels enjoyable, from motion and weapons to modes targeted on environment and targets. That is most likely the funniest factor this collection has seen in years, so it might be a disgrace for followers to see it die in hundreds of cuts, both within the title of greed or because of technical points.
On the brilliant aspect, it is most likely a superb factor that Battlefield Studios goes by means of this firefight now somewhat than later. If you happen to take the time to correctly tackle your issues and tackle the core points, it’ll repay in the long term. Please have a look battlefield 4, Multiplayer-wise, it began up fully damaged. Somewhat than burying our heads within the sand, DICE labored with the group to fully rework it.
the truth that battlefield 6 Additionally put it on prime if there’s a redeeming factor battlefield 2042I felt like I used to be lifeless within the water from day one. Builders might by no means be capable to set up the proper steadiness of weapons. At the least it may give the group what it desires most, from bigger maps, enjoyable variations of Rush and Breakthrough, and naval battles to persistent servers and extra beneficiant Battle Go development. Cosmetics that gamers really need to spend cash on and spend time unlocking aren’t too unhealthy both.
EA desires to get probably the most worth out of this gravy practice and keep on board, so I do not assume they will let DICE take a “don’t fret about it, simply receives a commission” strategy. The query is: How lengthy does it take to actually reply to a group earlier than they transfer on to one thing else? If there was ever a time to behave to remind followers why they love this collection a lot, it is undoubtedly now.
Word: The views expressed on this article are these of the writer, don’t essentially symbolize the views of GamingBolt as a corporation, and are usually not attributable to GamingBolt.