Battlefield 2042 Pulls Off Huge Comeback After Catastrophic Release

Battlefield 2042, the popular first-person shooter, has staged an impressive revival nearly two years after its problematic launch. This unexpected resurgence is attributed to a limited-time free access offer and substantial discounts. We collected all the numbers and information you need!

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Battlefield 2042 has seen a phenomenal rise in player numbers recently | ©Electronic Arts

When Battlefield 2042 was unleashed in November 2021, it faced a barrage of criticism. Fans, especially long-time ones, were disappointed due to the game's shift away from classic classes and its live service model. It had a rocky start with a significant number of refunds, consistently low player counts, and mixed Season updates that resulted in numerous players abandoning the game.

However, after almost two years, Battlefield 2042 has remarkably hit its all-time peak in player count, thanks to a clever promotional strategy involving free access and substantial discounts.

Battlefield 2042 Celebrates A Huge Comeback

As part of their Season 6 promotion, EA generously allowed players to enjoy free access to Battlefield 2042 from October 12 to 16 on all gaming platforms. Moreover, they announced a whopping 70% discount on the game for those who wanted more after the free trial.

This attractive discount significantly lowered the game's price, with some platforms selling it for as little as $9.59 USD. This move paid off remarkably well, as the game suddenly garnered substantial interest.

According to SteamCharts, on October 16, the final day of free access, Battlefield 2042's player count peaked at 103,492 for PC users, surpassing its previous record of 100,000 on the release day.

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The all-time player peak happened just a couple of days ago | ©SteamCharts

While it remains to be seen if this surge is temporary, one thing is certain: Battlefield 2042 is making a grand return. But the big question is, how fast will this player count decline once the promotional weekend concludes?

Battlefield 2042 no longer competes head-to-head with Call of Duty. Even though EA's CEO hints at major changes in the series' next iteration, tens of thousands of players have flocked back to the franchise to experience what Battlefield 2042 offers, more than two years after its initial negative reception. It's no longer regarded as the worst Battlefield game in history and has certainly shown significant improvements in recent months.

This resurgence is a clear indicator of how dramatically things can turn around. During the previous free-play weekend, Battlefield 2042 managed to attract only around 35,000 peak players on Steam, making its current success even more remarkable. Battlefield 2042 is proving that with the right strategy, a game can stage a massive comeback, even after a catastrophic launch. Only time will tell if this renewed interest is here to stay.

If you are interested in playing the game now, you can buy Battlefield 2042 here .

Jonathan Rossbach

Hi! I’m Joni. I’m a Counter-Strike diehard with a love for shooters, sports – and simulation games. I also enjoy playing FIFA, NBA, Valorant, F1, Minecraft or the good old Euro Truck Simulator. ...

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