Battlefield 6 Is Losing Steam: What's Happening Three Months After Launch?

Battlefield 6 burst onto the scene with one of EA's strongest FPS launches in history. But as of January 2026, things aren't looking so bright. After reaching a peak of 747,000 concurrent players, the game has now lost 80% of its player base in just a few weeks. So, why have the cries of "Modern Battlefield is back" turned into a storm of criticism?

Steam Reviews Drop to "Mixed"

The average review score on Steam has fallen from "Very Positive" to "Mixed." Only 53% of reviews in the last 30 days are positive. Here are the main complaints from players:

• Aggressive Monetization: Even before entering the main menu of this $70 game, players are bombarded with Battle Pass ads, which has become a major frustration.

• Generative AI Scandal: Players noticed that some cosmetics (like the bizarre double-barrel M4A1) were created using unchecked AI artwork. Many see this as "a billion-dollar company selling low-quality content."

• Bugs and Performance Issues: The 1.1.3.0 update introduced stuttering problems and hidden nerfs to movement mechanics, testing the patience of the community.

Rising Competition: The Arc Raiders Effect

While Battlefield 6 is losing ground, its competitors are stepping up. Notably, Arc Raiders from Embark Studios (founded by former Battlefield developers) reached 352,000 concurrent players in January, overshadowing Battlefield. We're in an era where giants like Call of Duty and Battlefield are struggling against fresher, player-friendly alternatives.

Community Split: Reddit vs. LowSodium

Criticism has become so intense that the main Reddit community (r/Battlefield) has turned into a "complaint center," prompting more optimistic players to create a new subreddit called r/LowSodiumBattlefield. Still, the general consensus is this: while the core gameplay is solid, the business model and content management are falling short.