It took just 72 hours for Battlefield 6 to reshuffle the cards. Released on October 10 on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, the new part of the EA franchise sold 7 million copies in three days. An absolute record which propels the saga into a new era, after the bitter failure of Battlefield 2042.
Behind this dazzling performance, a dizzying launch weekend: more than 172 million games played, more than 15 million hours of streaming recorded, and a peak of 747,440 simultaneous players on Steam. Enough to sign the return to grace of a license that many thought buried.
Vince Zampella thanks the community: “a historic launch”
At EA, the tone is celebratory. Battlefield boss Vince Zampella did not fail to welcome the mobilization of players: “We never take moments like this for granted, which is why I want to express our sincere gratitude to our Battlefield studios around the world and to our passionate community who have allowed us to get to this point.” Before adding: “We thank you for your presence with us for the historic launch of Battlefield 6. We still have much to offer you in the weeks to come.”
This success is largely based on the responsiveness of the developers. Since its release, Battlefield 6 has already received several patches to adjust the multiplayer experience, and a first season of content is planned for October 28. On the program: Rogue Ops, a new map called Blackwell Fields and a promising 4v4 mode.
A winning comeback… and increased pressure on Call of Duty
The success of Battlefield 6 is bound to make waves. It contrasts sharply with the criticism leveled at Battlefield 2042 upon its release, and puts EA back in the end-of-year FPS race. Especially since the shadow of Call of Duty looms large: Black Ops 7 is due to arrive on November 14. The challenge is set, the bar is high, and comparisons will be inevitable.
On the press side, the first feedback is generally positive, despite a solo campaign considered uneven. IGN gave the multiplayer mode a score of 8/10, praising the nervousness of the clashes and the richness of the maps. If Sony and Microsoft have not communicated their figures, the commercial success is beyond doubt.
One month after its launch, Battlefield 6 is already establishing itself as a major turning point in the history of the license. And maybe even like the awakening of a sleeping giant.