Battlefield 6 hits 1.7 million Steam pre-orders, set for massive first-week sales

[DragonSlayer101]

Forward-looking: Battlefield 6 is shaping up to be one of the biggest video game releases of 2025, with a record number of players participating in its open beta over the past few months. A new report suggests it could become one of the most successful entries in the franchise's history, a welcome turnaround after the disappointing launch of Battlefield 2042.

According to a report from The Game Business, 1.7 million copies of Battlefield 6 have already been pre-ordered on Steam, with another five million units expected to sell during its first week after launch. The data, sourced from Ampere Analysis, also notes that the beta version has been a major success, attracting 22 million players over the past few months.

Gaming market research firm Newzoo published its own estimates, placing the total number of beta participants even higher, at 25 million. The firm reported a peak concurrent player count of 10.4 million – more than double the 5.1 million peak recorded during the Battlefield 2042 beta.

Battlefield 6 will launch on October 10 for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Windows PCs. Its single-player campaign follows a conflict between NATO and a private militia called Pax Armata, while the multiplayer mode introduces four character classes – Assault, Engineer, Support, and Recon, each specializing in distinct weapons and combat strategies.

The game will also feature several returning modes, including the new Escalation mode. Early reviews describe Escalation as an intense, objective-based experience that builds on the classic Conquest formula but with key differences, such as fewer objectives, a shifting front line, and heightened combat intensity.

It's been a turbulent week for the gaming industry, marked by multiple unexpected – and unpopular – developments. Earlier this week, EA was acquired by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund for $55 billion, while Microsoft drew backlash for raising the price of its Game Pass Ultimate subscription by 50 percent.

Beyond Battlefield 6, several other AAA titles are scheduled for release in late 2025, including Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, The Outer Worlds 2, and Pokémon Legends: Z-A. Looking ahead to 2026, fans will finally get their hands on the long-awaited Grand Theft Auto VI after years of delays and postponements.

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Battlefield 6 hits 1.7 million Steam pre-orders, set for massive first-week sales

 

[Revolution 11]

And this is why we can't have nice things. Stop preordering games, people. At least wait for release day reviews and bug reports.

You may have a gem of a game in BF6 but in general you are only rewarding day 1 shenanigans such as dishonest marketing to maximize preorders before reviews come out.

 

[Theinsanegamer]

And this is why we can't have nice things. Stop preordering games, people. At least wait for release day reviews and bug reports.

You may have a gem of a game in BF6 but in general you are only rewarding day 1 shenanigans such as dishonest marketing to maximize preorders before reviews come out.

It’s a lost cause. I’ve been banging the no pre order drum for almost 15 years now. The gaming industry is powered by hordes of users that just cannot help themselves from consooming.

I’ve pivoted to other interests. Gaming is still fun and I still have a huge back catalog of ps2 era games to play, but I didn’t buy a single new game last year and it was hardly noticeable. It’s way cheaper to just ignore new stuff.

 

[Revolution 11]

It’s a lost cause. I’ve been banging the no pre order drum for almost 15 years now. The gaming industry is powered by hordes of users that just cannot help themselves from consooming.

I’ve pivoted to other interests. Gaming is still fun and I still have a huge back catalog of ps2 era games to play, but I didn’t buy a single new game last year and it was hardly noticeable. It’s way cheaper to just ignore new stuff.

I recommend TimeSplitters 2 if you have not played it yet. It was one of the most atmospheric PS2 games I have played. Ico and Shadow of the Colossus are also two other top picks for the PS2.

 

[Theinsanegamer]

I recommend TimeSplitters 2 if you have not played it yet. It was one of the most atmospheric PS2 games I have played. Ico and Shadow of the Colossus are also two other top picks for the PS2.

I finished the timesplitters trilogy last week. Next up is the sly cooper games, then I might re run the ratchet and clank games.

Also have Toy Story 2 on ps1 to finish. Fantastic platformer.

“And where do you propose I will get this TIME DEVICE?”

 

[NumberNine]

There's something hilarious about Saudis buying a war gaming franchise using oil money.

 

[Theinsanegamer]

There's something hilarious about Saudis buying a war gaming franchise using oil money.

It's like pottery!

 

[J95qRP7]

I'd just like to point out that they have OFFERED to buy EA. It still needs to pass a shareholder vote and regulatory hurdles.

"Transaction Details

The transaction was approved by EA’s Board of Directors, is expected to close in Q1 FY27 and is subject to customary closing conditions, including receipt of required regulatory approvals and approval by EA stockholders."

 

[zavrix]

And this is why we can't have nice things. Stop preordering games, people. At least wait for release day reviews and bug reports.

You may have a gem of a game in BF6 but in general you are only rewarding day 1 shenanigans such as dishonest marketing to maximize preorders before reviews come out.

But you wont get that free skin

 

[Axiarus]

Nope. Saudis and Jared Kushner are a no go for me. Deleted my account.

 

[loki1944]

Not from me that's for sure.

 

[BbN48]

I still don't, and have never, seen the point in pre-ordering any software. Unless you get a huge discount from doing so.

 

[FaTaL]

This is one of the 1st games I pre-ordered in years because the beta was good (for a beta) and because Steam will just download the game for me and can play at my leisure.

 

[toooooot]

It’s a lost cause. I’ve been banging the no pre order drum for almost 15 years now. The gaming industry is powered by hordes of users that just cannot help themselves from consooming.

I’ve pivoted to other interests. Gaming is still fun and I still have a huge back catalog of ps2 era games to play, but I didn’t buy a single new game last year and it was hardly noticeable. It’s way cheaper to just ignore new stuff.

You can't live off old sports games though. People who like sport are hooked on new stuff that has new faces uniforms and places. This is one of the reason EA can make billions on their sports titles, they rely on the hundreds of millions sports fans around the world who can be sold a slightly different game every year.
I only wonder why there are not many other companies like EA that specialize in sports games. There is huge money in there, and almost guaranteed customers

 

[Eldrach]

I'd recommend reading that EULA before you end up in a blacksite somewhere

 

[Starfals]

Nope. Saudis and Jared Kushner are a no go for me. Deleted my account.

Same. I aint gonna sponsor either 1 of them. EA I officially dead to me, sad cus I did still buy some games here and there. I do own EVERY BF game. Oh well, nice knowing you EA. The only way you can bring me back is if you do a C&C Generals remaster/remake. Nothing else matters to me.

 

[Burty117]

I recommend TimeSplitters 2 if you have not played it yet. It was one of the most atmospheric PS2 games I have played. Ico and Shadow of the Colossus are also two other top picks for the PS2.

I finished the timesplitters trilogy last week. Next up is the sly cooper games, then I might re run the ratchet and clank games.

Also have Toy Story 2 on ps1 to finish. Fantastic platformer.

“And where do you propose I will get this TIME DEVICE?”

I completed a playthrough of Timesplitters: Future Perfect story mode yesterday, I know it's not everyone's favourite in the franchise but the characters are still hilarious. Jo-Beth Casey, Harry Tipper, Amy Chen, Captain Ash, R110, always a fun playthrough every year.

I'm sh*t at cat driving though, those challenges suck, monkey dancing though? easy.

 

[SoloCamo]

Same. I aint gonna sponsor either 1 of them. EA I officially dead to me, sad cus I did still buy some games here and there. I do own EVERY BF game. Oh well, nice knowing you EA. The only way you can bring me back is if you do a C&C Generals remaster/remake. Nothing else matters to me.

Aka you will sponsor them and throw your morals to the side if they release the game you want so why play the high ground here lol.

 

[ZackL04]

You can't live off old sports games though. People who like sport are hooked on new stuff that has new faces uniforms and places. This is one of the reason EA can make billions on their sports titles, they rely on the hundreds of millions sports fans around the world who can be sold a slightly different game every year.
I only wonder why there are not many other companies like EA that specialize in sports games. There is huge money in there, and almost guaranteed customers

EA Monopolized that genre many years ago, buying the gaming rights to the individual sports leagues

 

[Northy]

I'm giving it a 50:1 chance that the servers can't handle the massive user base in the first week and the whole thing goes titsup, that there'll be an article here about disgruntled players and smoking servers.