Battlefield 6 is facing turbulent times as the game struggles to maintain its player base and positive reviews. Initially launching to tremendous success on October 10 with record-breaking sales, the game has seen its fair share of ups and downs. As excitement for Season 2 grows, issues with bugs, monetization, and AI content are causing players to drift away, leaving recent Steam reviews labeled as ‘Mixed’.
While the introduction of Season 1: California Resistance brought a temporary boost, the subsequent release of the Winter Offensive update has not been well-received. The update’s focus on limited-time snowy maps didn’t sit well with players, leading to more negative reviews and dwindling player numbers.
The December 9 update introduced the Ice Lock event and an Ice Climbing Axe melee weapon but also brought technical issues such as a glitchy main menu and stuttering problems, further displeasing the community. Despite the developers’ quick response to address these issues, dissatisfaction continues to grow.
Losing Steam
Complaints from the Winter Offensive update have combined with long-standing demands for larger maps and more features, leading to a decline in player sentiment. The day following the update’s release saw more negative reviews than positive ones on Steam, a shift from previous trends.
SteamDB shows that the game’s reviews hovered at a positive 69.8% but have since dropped to 68.4%. Battlefield 6 was close to regaining a ‘Mostly Positive’ rating before losing momentum with the Winter Offensive, leaving it with a ‘Mixed’ label once again.
Steam’s criteria for ‘Mostly Positive’ reviews require a 70% positive rating, a benchmark Battlefield 6 was nearing before sliding back. Now, only 53% of the recent 17,331 reviews are positive, suggesting a downward trend towards ‘Mostly Negative’.
Seeing Red
As players voice their frustrations, recurring issues such as small maps, bugs, and unstable gunplay are prevalent. The Winter Offensive update sparked more criticism, particularly concerning in-game purchases. The controversial use of generative AI for content has also fueled players’ discontent, with community members calling for transparency.
“Pay $70 just to get ads for battle passes shoved in your face before you even make it to the main menu,” one Steam user lamented. Battlefield 6 has faced harsh critique, with players citing unfulfilled promises and aggressive monetization as core issues.
Battlefield 6 has lost around 80% of its playerbase since its incredibly successful launch in October.
What went wrong? ? pic.twitter.com/zBltAI52uz
— QNDZY (@QNDZYcom) December 31, 2025
The AI controversy, alongside ongoing debates about the game’s direction, highlights a divided community. Despite the criticism, Battlefield 6 maintains a dedicated player base, with some fans still enjoying the game amidst the controversies.
In Need of Reinforcements
As Battlefield 6 continues to face challenges, the conversation surrounding its future is intense. Player numbers have seen a significant drop from the game’s launch peak, and competitive titles like Arc Raiders have added pressure.
Many fans view the upcoming Season 2 as a crucial opportunity for the developers to address ongoing issues and regain lost ground. The Battlefield community remains vocal, and Season 2 is being looked upon as a potential turning point.
I think this is one thing we can all agree on.
Battlefield 6 Season 2’s maps have to be solid additions to the game. I’ve seen the the BF community’s consensus on the launch maps slowly degrade from beta, to launch, to now. The maps are a top issue for many.
— Enders (@EndersFPS) December 29, 2025
There’s hope that with the right adjustments, Battlefield 6 can overcome its current hurdles and thrive once again. As anticipation for Season 2 builds, the game’s ability to adapt and evolve will be key in regaining the trust and enthusiasm of its players.