As FPS fans set their sights on the beta of the much-anticipated Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, Battlefield 2042 was in the middle of enjoying one of its best weekends ever, defying expectations and previous criticisms. The recent upswing in player count for the previously beleaguered Battlefield 2042 offers a fascinating glimpse into how video games can save themselves after being on the brink of closing shop.
Battlefield 2042, upon its launch in 2021, faced an array of challenges. With issues ranging from lackluster gameplay to server errors to significant deviations from previous entries, it was met with mixed reviews and is easily one of the most controversial games of recent times, right up there alongside Cyberpunk 2077 and Halo Infinite. But, a combination of continuous improvements and strategic offerings have turned the tides in its favor.
The game recently shattered its own record by achieving a peak concurrent player count of 102,009 on Steam, according to Battlefield Bulletin. This rise is significantly attributed to the game being offered free on Steam until October 16. This allowed new players to experience the game without a financial commitment. The result was an enormous addition of players, both on Steam and possibly on the Xbox and PlayStation. Battlefield 2042’s peak numbers are more impressive given its competition: the open-beta weekend of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3.
If Battlefield 2042’s offering was a strategic move to counter the hype surrounding its rival, then it’s safe to say that it’s successful. Season 6: Dark Creations further bolstered its resurgence, introducing new weapons, gadgets, maps, and a focus on close-quarters combat that seems to resonate well with players.
While Battlefield 2042’s rebound is a combination of gameplay improvements and tactical offerings, it’s evident that the franchise’s fans are willing to give it a second chance as long as the developers show commitment to refining as well as improving the experience. Offering the game for free temporarily certainly enticed many to jump in, but the challenge lies in retaining these players beyond such offers.
Now, does this mean that Battlefield 2042 is moving towards a free-to-play model? It’s worth noting that it was part of the PS Plus lineup a while back, which also resulted in marked jump in player count. Considering that Battlefield 2042 is already on the Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus, a business model shift is the only route left.
Fortnite, Apex Legends, and Call of Duty: Warzone, have all proven that this model, combined with in-game purchases and regular content updates, can be immensely profitable.
Whether Battlefield 2042 should adopt this model permanently remains a matter of debate. However, its recent success indicates that with the right strategies, even games that initially stumble can find their footing and thrive in the highly competitive gaming landscape.
Battlefield 2042’s journey from a rocky launch to a record-breaking weekend offers hope and lessons for its developers.
Fingers crossed, EA and DICE won’t let up just because of this temporary reprieve.
Speaking of Battlefield, EA and DICE are already working on the next entry in the series, which will be a “reimagining” of the franchise. Just like before, Criterion Games will give it a helping hand.
