It was only a few years ago that players seemed to have abandoned new Battlefield games, opting instead to play titles released almost a decade ago. The series was not in a good spot. One more disappointing release and we might never have had another competitor to the Call of Duty franchise.
But then, something incredible happened.
Electronic Arts gathered the developers, gave the right people carte blanche, and created Battlefield Studios. This year saw the release of Battlefield 6, which took the shooter world by storm and, no word of a lie, saved the Battlefield series.
In terms of the best comeback this year, it’s hard to argue against the gargantuan success of Battlefield 6. Before the game even released, players were treated to a couple of free betas, allowing the developers to stress test the game. Out of all the feedback Battlefield Studios received and implemented, what stood out most was the player response: everyone loved it.
Battlefield 6 appeared all over social media. The gameplay was clippable and shareable, with action-packed moments and hilarious antics popping up online. But since the beta was free and the full, premium game is not, would the player base see similar numbers upon release?
The answer is a resounding yes.
In its first week, Battlefield 6 peaked at over 740,000 concurrent players on Steam, with reports indicating the game had sold 7 million units. Suffice it to say, it was a major success. Players showed up to experience the best entry the Battlefield franchise had seen in a long time.
What makes the experience so good is that Battlefield Studios truly listened to player feedback and went back to the series’ roots. The iconic four classes are back, coordination within your squad and team feels meaningful, the shooting is tight, each piece of equipment has its own use and identity, and the vehicular combat is explosive.
Beyond the gameplay, the systems worked well right from the start. There were minimal server issues at launch, a short and punchy campaign, and multiplayer features that include series classics like Conquest, Rush, and more. Plus, REDSEC—the game’s battle royale mode—dropped for free, with no need to buy the full game.
It’s not every year that players get a new Battlefield game, and even when they do, it used to be a coin toss as to whether or not it would be good. With the creation of Battlefield Studios, Electronic Arts has managed to right the ship.
The Battlefield series is back, and it’s better than ever before.
Out of all the amazing comeback stories this year, the Battlefield series stands tall as the deserving winner of the Shacknews Best Comeback of 2025 award.
https://www.shacknews.com/article/147201/best-comeback-2025-battlefield-series
