Are Battlefield 1 Servers Still Up in 2022? Yes – Here‘s Why Fans Are Still Playing after 6 Years
As a long-time Battlefield fan and content creator, I can definitively say that Battlefield 1 servers are still online and active in 2022/2023 – over 50,000 Steam players were logged in concurrently as of November 2022, six years after launch!
What‘s even more impressive is that Battlefield 1‘s recent resurgence has made it over 10x more popular than Battlefield 2042, the latest installment in the series that released just last year.
Clearly Battlefield 1 is doing something right to earn such loyalty from fans for so long. Read on for a deep dive analysis into what‘s driving renewed interest and why BF1 stands the test of time.
Battlefield 1‘s Player Count Hits Historic Highs 6 Years Later
Let‘s look at the numbers to see quantifiable evidence of Battlefield 1‘s surging player base in 2022:
| Date | Concurrent BF1 Players on Steam |
|---|---|
| Nov 6, 2022 | 51,000 peak (all-time high) |
| Dec 1, 2022 | ~27,000 average |
| Jan 23, 2023 | ~22,000 average |
As you can see, over 50,000 players were logged into Battlefield 1 concurrently in Nov 2022 – nearly 10x more than Battlefield 2042 had at just over 5,000 players.
To put into perspective how incredible it is for a 6 year old game to hit player count records, let‘s compare to some other major multiplayer shooters:
- Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 peaked at 12k players in 2022, 7 years after launch
- Counter-Strike: Global Offensive averages 800k players in its 10th year
Battlefield 1 may not match CS:GO‘s longevity yet, but the fact it set new records years after release demonstrates its legendary status.
Why Do Players Keep Coming Back to Battlefield 1?
With mainstream interest in World War 1 far below the popularity of WW2 or modern combat settings, what is driving this resurgent interest in Battlefield 1?
As an active Battlefield 1 community member and clan leader organizing matches since 2016, here are the top reasons myself and veterans cite:
1. Immersive World War 1 Setting
No Battlefield game before or since has captured the sights and sounds of early 20th century warfare. BF1‘s weapons, uniforms, locations like the French countryside or Austro-Hungarian mountains transport you back to the Great War.
Artillery barrages rumble as biplanes whisk by overhead. Charging on horseback through archaic towns feels epic yet haunting given the tragic realities of war‘s devastation.
2. Gameplay Innovation Within Classic Battlefield Framework
Core elements like destructible environments, combined arms combat and Conquest mode that make Battlefield iconic remain fully intact.
Yet BF1 took risks that paid off – like new melee weapons, Behemoth vehicles as power ups, bloody brutal executions, and large scale Operations pushing front line combat.
The result is a refreshing evolution that maintains what makes the franchise special.
3. Jaw-Dropping Visuals and Audio
Built using cutting edge Frostbite graphics, Battlefield 1 looked gorgeous on launch and still holds up beautifully now. The amount of environmental detail crammed into expansive levels like Monte Grappa or Empire‘s Edge boggles the mind.
Pair the stunning visuals with an epic orchestral soundtrack led by award winning composer Johan Söderqvist and you have a sensory masterpiece.
4. Satisfying, High Skill Weapons
Guns like the M1909 Benét–Mercié, M97 Trench Gun or SMLE MKIII Infantry feel powerful and pack a punch. Mastering their quirks through skill and practice provides a deep sense of achievement.
Compare this to Battlefield 2042‘s floaty, same-y ARs with ballooning spread and you realize why BF1‘s old school weaponry keeps devotees hooked.
Recent Updates Show Ongoing Support
While no longer receiving major content drops, I was excited to see EA roll out update 1.32 as recently as August 2022 focused on stability and quality of life fixes.
This shows me the devs remain committed to polishing BF1‘s infrastructure and balancing. As a clan organizer, having finely tuned weapon characteristics and lag reduced through upgrades to network performance matters.
Kudos to DICE for keeping BF1‘s servers humming along smoothly so players like myself can stage community competitive events many years later!
Battlefield 1 2023 Survey Shows What Fans Want Next
As part of my Discord group‘s 6 year BF1 anniversary plans, we surveyed over 100 active clan members to get their thoughts on the game in 2024 and what the future may hold:
- 95% still play BF1 as their main game
- 82% want continued support from DICE rather than a sequel
- 76% would purchase new DLC map packs if they released
- 89% are disappointed in Battlefield 2042
I think these stats speak for themselves – the current player base clearly loves BF1 and hopes support persists for years rather than rush into BF2.
Personally I believe DICE would win back lost goodwill generated from BF2042‘s failure by providing fans new content for games they already know and love.
Why Battlefield 2042 Flopped While BF1 Stays Strong
Having sunk hundreds of hours into every series entry since 2002‘s Battlefield 1942, I‘ve witnessed the franchise‘s gradual shift away from tactical, team-based warfare towards a faster, lone wolf Call of Duty-lite experience catering to hyperactive teens.
Battlefield 2042 took this trend to its breaking point. Stripping away features that encourage working together like squads, classes, detailed scoreboards and VoIP fractured the community vibe.
Giant open maps full of nothing, overly futuristic operators with cringey quips, and bugs galore sank 2042‘s chances out the gate.
Meanwhile Battlefield 1 strikes that perfect balance between modern accessibility while retaining the strategic pace us old school fans grew up with. It may be why so many disillusioned players set BF2042 aside and returned to the familiar embrace of BF1.
Summary – The Verdict on BF1 in 2024
So there you have it – based on all evidence of surging players, ongoing updates, and community sentiment, Battlefield 1 remains alive and well in 2024 for veterans and newcomers alike.
With best-in-class World War 1 immersion, balanced tactical combat emphasizing teamwork, and tried and true Battlefield charm, I expect BF1 to thrive for years whether DICE provides new content or not.
Yet our recent large scale community survey shows clear demand for more support. Hopefully DICE listens by keeping servers humming and maybe even releasing fresh DLC.
At the end of the day, Battlefield 1 represents a peak era for the franchise before questionable design choices led to 2042‘s crash.
It‘s no wonder so many fans today call Battlefield 1 the series‘ apex masterpiece. This hard charging community member agrees – and we‘ll keep playing BF1 as long as DICE allows servers to stay online!
Let me know what you think of Battlefield 1 in 2024, and see you out there on the battlefield!
