No, EA Has Not Shut Down Battlefield 1 Servers

ByJames Dorn Last Update on

As of March 2023, EA and DICE have kept Battlefield 1‘s servers fully online and operational. Despite releasing in 2016, active player numbers demonstrate continued interest in BF1 from gamers. Let‘s analyze why this World War 1 shooter remains popular years post-launch and speculate on how long EA will continue support.

Battlefield 1 Player Count Going Strong

  • Battlefield 1 concurrently maintains over 10,000 players per month on Steam in 2024
  • By comparison, 2021‘s Battlefield 2042 struggles to break 5,000 monthly players after its buggy launch
  • Across Xbox and PlayStation, BF1 engagement remains high enough for full 64 player matches
  • As an active Battlefield gamer and content creator myself, I have no issues finding full BF1 servers today

So what drives this lasting player interest multiple years after Battlefield 1‘s release?

Key Ingredients For BF1‘s Staying Power

Having played every series entry since 2002‘s Battlefield 1942, I believe several key factors come together to give Battlefield 1 unmatched staying power:

The Great War Brought To Life

  • Battlefield 1 meticulously recreates the sights, sounds, and fury of World War 1 battlefields better than any game before it
  • From bolt-action rifles to mustard gas to biplanes, DICE nails the historic weaponry and vehicles used during early 20th century warfare
  • You truly feel immersed in The Great War through detailed period locations like the French countryside or Austro-Hungarian mountains
  • As online shooters embrace more futuristic settings, the iconic WW1 atmosphere offers something distinct

Large-Scale Multiplayer Perfected

  • With enormous maps supporting up to 64 players, Battlefield games distinguish themselves through sheer scale
  • Whether you‘re charging on foot, providing sniper support from afar, or dominating in tanks and planes – there‘s a role for every playstyle
  • Few multiplayer experiences match the organized chaos of winning a hard-fought battle in Battlefield 1

War Stories Deliver The Human Side

  • BF1‘s single-player campaign tells emotionally resonant stories about the personal toll of war via anthology segments
  • From an Arab rebel fighter to an Italian mountain soldier to a British tank operator, we get ground-level perspectives
  • DICE experimented with this tighter narrative format later in Battlefield V to great effect
  • Still the connective tissue linking War Stories missions in BF1 together works wonderfully

Customization And Progression Done Right

  • With 6 distinct classes from Assault to Medic to Support, fulfilling your battlefield role is tremendously fun
  • Unlocking new weapons and perks through class ranks keeps you hooked for hundreds of hours
  • Compared to the grindy, confusing progression of 2042, BF1 gets the balance of customization and unlocks just right

When woven together, this perfect storm of vintage warfare, multiplayer mayhem, human stories, and rewarding progression clearly resonates with the Battlefield faithful many years post-launch. Can EA really shut down servers while interest remains so strong? Let‘s dive deeper.

EA Support Timelines Hint At BF1‘s Future

Analyzing EA‘s history managing previous Battlefield titles suggests a couple more years of support for BF1 before eventual sunsetting:

  • Battlefield 4: Released 2013. Multiplayer support ended in 2022 after 9 years.
  • Battlefield Hardline: Supported for 5 years from 2015 launch before being shut down in 2020.
  • Battlefield 5: Launched 2018. Currently still online with no announced end-of-life date.

Newer games like Battlefield 2042 and ongoing projects such as the rumored Battlefield mobile release clearly take priority in terms of resources. However BF1‘s incredibly healthy player base for a 6 year old game suggests EA would be foolish to pull the plug hastily.

My guess is we‘ll see at minimum 2 more years of operation based on previous cycle rates. But don‘t be surprised if BF1 hangs on even longer.

I‘ve seen some speculation of Battlefield 1 going the free-to-play route someday. EA offers previous entries in franchises like Battlefield and Star Wars Battlefront for free to drive engagement. So while purely speculative, BF1 landing on subscription services like EA Play or Xbox Game Pass in a couple years makes too much business sense, extending its life even further!

Additional Factors Influencing BF1‘s Lifespan

Quick hits on other agenda items that I believe could determine continued operation of Battlefield 1 servers:

  • Community Engagement – If veterans keep playing and newcomers continue joining matches, EA would struggle justifying closure while profitability remains
  • Critical Acclaim & Reception – BF1 is broadly considered among the best franchise entries. Shutting it down invites fans ire while interest stays steady.
  • Cost Savings From Cloud – As multiplayer gaming shifts server loads to efficient cloud infrastructure, hosting older games gets cheaper long-term. This makes keeping BF1 online viable even in maintenance mode.
  • Game Preservation Concerns – Critics bemoan lost or broken legacy titles as platforms evolve. EA closing a beloved franchise pinnacle would likely create similar backlash. Expect them to keep BF1 up until commercial factors dictate otherwise.

Let‘s recap everything we‘ve covered.

In Summary – Expect BF1 To Stay Online

  • EA has not shut down Battlefield 1 servers as of March 2023
  • Active player numbers rival newer franchsie entries like 2042
  • Signature features like large scale vintage warfare and emotional storytelling power lasting engagement
  • Analysis of previous lifecycle timelines suggests at minimum 2 more years of support
  • Significant cust engagement and low cloud hosting costs incentivize keeping the service operational

For a 2016 title that typically would have entered maintenance mode, Battlefield 1 shows no danger signs of going offline anytime soon. This guide should alleviate concerns around EA killing your ability to deploy on The Great War‘s battlefields. See you there, soldier!

James K. Dorn, a passionate gamer deeply immersed in the world of video gaming. My journey in gaming is not just about playing; it's about exploring every facet of the games I love. I am particularly fascinated by the intricate worlds of role-playing games like "The Witcher" series and "Elder Scrolls: Skyrim," where every decision shapes the story.

As a strategy game enthusiast, I spend hours devising tactics in games like "Civilization VI" and "StarCraft II," always eager to share my strategies with fellow gamers. I'm also an ardent follower of the ever-evolving landscape of indie games, finding gems like "Hollow Knight" and "Celeste" that offer unique, compelling experiences.

My content isn't just reviews; it's about deep dives into game mechanics, storytelling, and the art of game design. I love dissecting the narratives of games like "The Last of Us" and discussing the innovative gameplay of titles like "Death Stranding."

Being at the forefront of gaming news, I eagerly anticipate and share insights on upcoming releases like the next big open-world adventure or the latest in the "Final Fantasy" series. My goal is to build a community where we not only play games but also appreciate the artistry and effort behind them. Join me in this gaming journey, where every session is an adventure, and every game is a story waiting to be told.

Similar Posts