The recent Battlefield 6 beta test has sparked an unexpected revival for its predecessor, Battlefield 2042, as FPS enthusiasts are returning to the 2021 title in substantial numbers. This renewed interest has propelled Battlefield 2042 past Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 on Steam's popularity charts, creating an interesting shift in the military shooter landscape as the franchise prepares for its next installment.

Originally launched in 2021 to mixed reviews, Battlefield 2042 embarked on an extensive redemption journey with developer DICE consistently delivering updates, hotfixes, and multiple seasons of additional content. While these efforts gradually improved player sentiment toward the game, the approaching release of EA's next major military shooter signals the conclusion of Battlefield 2042's lifecycle.

Following months of internal testing, Battlefield 6 generated tremendous excitement during its public beta weekends. The open beta period established new records for both EA and Steam platforms, attracting over half a million simultaneous players eager to experience the upcoming shooter. Remarkably, these numbers exceeded Call of Duty's all-time concurrent player peak on Steam, demonstrating impressive engagement for a beta testing phase.

Despite Battlefield 6 being temporarily unavailable until its October launch, the franchise momentum continues unabated. SteamCharts data reveals that FPS enthusiasts are migrating back to Battlefield 2042, with current player counts surpassing both Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Warzone. The game achieved a 24-hour peak of approximately 74,000 players, outperforming Call of Duty's 70,000 concurrent users during the same period.

Beyond the general anticipation for Battlefield 6, several factors contribute to Battlefield 2042's sudden player surge. The game's farewell event currently offers Pax Armata-themed cosmetic items that will transfer to Battlefield 6 upon its release. Combined with a promotional Steam sale reducing the game's price to just $3, these incentives have driven substantial player engagement. However, this increased activity doesn't necessarily indicate more genuine gameplay, as numerous AFK experience farming servers allow players to accumulate rewards for the upcoming Battlefield 6 cosmetics with minimal active participation.