Battlefield 6 Gains Huge Momentum with Millions of Wishlists and Pre-Orders

Battlefield 6 Gears Up for a Strong Launch

Battlefield 6 is set to make a significant return, showing impressive player interest even before its official release. According to analytics firm Alinea Analytics, the highly anticipated shooter has already garnered over 600,000 pre-orders and accumulated 2.7 million wishlists on Steam. These early figures translate to an estimated $35 million in revenue from pre-orders on Valve's platform alone, signaling a potential resurgence for a franchise that has seen declining engagement in recent years.

The anticipation around Battlefield 6 is largely attributed to a well-executed marketing campaign. When the game's Steam page first went live in late July, 500,000 players quickly added the title to their wishlists. This number soared after the multiplayer trailer dropped on July 31, jumping from 754,000 to 1.23 million—a remarkable 62% increase in a single day. The closed beta, which began on August 7, further boosted wishlists, climbing from 2.20 million to 2.44 million in just 24 hours. Between July 25 and July 30, the game saw an average daily increase of 95,000 to 150,000 wishlists, a figure analysts describe as exceptional for a AAA title pre-release.

Beta Feedback and Gameplay Innovations

Analysts noted positive feedback from the Battlefield 6 beta, with players appreciating the return to classic series elements. Features such as large-scale maps, environmental destruction, familiar class systems, and a good balance between massive battles and player movement convenience were well-received. New mechanics, drawing parallels to Call of Duty, also add to the game's dynamic feel, with infantry lines and smaller-scale modes enriching the combat experience. This is particularly noteworthy as over 60% of Battlefield 6 wishlisters were previously active in the Call of Duty HQ launcher on Steam. Among those who wishlisted Battlefield 6, a significant portion also played:

• Battlefield 2042 – 48% of wishlisters
• Helldivers II – 33% of wishlisters
• Delta Force – 27% of wishlisters

Battlefield vs. Call of Duty: The Unending Rivalry

While former Blizzard Entertainment president Mike Ybarra believes Battlefield 6 could significantly outperform Call of Duty this year, Alinea Analytics takes a more cautious stance. Despite the strong initial numbers and positive beta reception, analysts doubt Battlefield 6 will surpass Call of Duty in overall sales. Call of Duty maintains an enormous player base through its annual releases, seasonal updates, and consistent marketing. Even if Battlefield 6 draws in hardcore fans, the sheer volume of players who automatically purchase new Call of Duty titles each year is immense.

Rhys Elliott, Head of Market Analysis at Alinea Analytics, points out that for many, Call of Duty is an annual tradition. Tens of millions of gamers, many of them casual players, buy the new CoD installment without hesitation. This “autopilot purchase” habit has been cultivated over decades and is unlikely to be broken by a single successful Battlefield title. Elliott notes that even during Battlefield 1's peak popularity in 2016, Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare—one of the least-liked games in its series—still sold millions more copies. This demonstrates the power of brand loyalty. Call of Duty also excels at maintaining audience engagement through a constant stream of new content, including operators, skins, battle passes, and events, ensuring its presence across social media, Twitch, and YouTube year-round—something Battlefield has yet to consistently offer.

Other Strong Performers on Steam

Rhys Elliott also shared insights into other top Steam sales for August 3–10:

• Mage Arena took the top spot with 624,000 copies sold, bringing its total to 1.8 million. This voice-controlled PvP spellcasting game continues to gain traction due to its viral gameplay and accessible price.
• PEAK climbed to second place with 551,000 copies sold, pushing its total sales past 8 million. The co-op climbing game recently benefited from a 38% discount, promising continued strong performance.
• Battlefield V landed third with 361,000 copies sold, likely due to the successful beta of its successor and a deep 90% discount.
• Titan Quest 2 launched in Early Access on August 1 and sold 204,000 copies on Steam last week. Its sales on the platform have now reached 465,000, and it ranks fifth by revenue on Steam at $4.1 million.
• Castle Crashers: Painter Boss Paradise sold 190,000 copies. Total sales exceeded 200,000, generating around $600,000 in revenue with an add-on price under $3.

Battlefield 6 is set to launch digitally on PC (Steam, Epic Games Store), Xbox Series, and PlayStation 5 on October 10. Notably, the game will not include Russian language support.