What's Happening?
The open beta for 'Battlefield 6' has set a new record for first-person shooter games on Steam, surpassing the peak player count of its main rival, 'Call of Duty.' During the first weekend of the beta, queues reached up to 250,000 players, with a peak of 521,079 active players on Steam. This figure exceeds the previous record held by 'Call of Duty HQ,' which had a peak of 491,670 players. The beta period saw over 5 million players across all platforms, according to research firm Oppenheimer. The second week of the beta is set to begin on August 14, featuring new maps and modes.
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Why It's Important?
The success of the 'Battlefield 6' beta highlights the ongoing rivalry between 'Battlefield' and 'Call of Duty,' two of the most popular FPS franchises. The record-breaking player count indicates strong interest and engagement from the gaming community, which could influence sales and market dynamics upon the game's full release. This competition may drive innovation and improvements in gameplay, benefiting players with enhanced gaming experiences. The high player turnout also underscores the importance of beta testing in gauging consumer interest and refining game features before official launch.
What's Next?
The second week of the 'Battlefield 6' beta will introduce additional content, including a new map set in NYC and two new game modes. The full release of 'Battlefield 6' is scheduled for October 10, while 'Call of Duty: Black Ops 7' is expected to release later in 2025. The upcoming Gamescom 2025 will provide more information about the next 'Call of Duty' title, potentially intensifying the competition between the two franchises. Stakeholders, including developers and publishers, will closely monitor player feedback and engagement during the beta to make necessary adjustments before the official launch.
