Battlefield 1 Continues to Sell – Now Surpassed 15 Million Copies

As an avid Battlefield gamer since 2002, I was extremely excited for Battlefield 1 after being disappointed by the cops-and-robbers diversion that was Battlefield Hardline. I‘m happy to report that BF1 not only met my high expectations but has gone on to become the highest selling title in the history of the Battlefield franchise!

According to EA and other industry sales trackers, Battlefield 1 has sold over 15 million copies worldwide since its October 2016 release. After dominating 2016 sales charts, it has continued to post impressive numbers year-after-year to reach this milestone.

Blockbuster Debut – Best Battlefield Launch Ever

Battlefield 1 exploded onto the scene in late 2016 with incredible momentum, spreading like wildfire amongst FPS fans hungry for something new. It ended up having the biggest launch ever for a Battlefield game, selling a staggering 14 million copies in its first week alone!

To put that massive early success into perspective, here‘s how BF1 compares to other major Battlefield releases during launch windows:

As you can see, BF1 almost DOUBLED the next best Battlefield launch week. An incredible result that caught even optimistic industry forecasts off guard.

Outgunning the Competition – Call of Duty & More

Another metric that highlights Battlefield 1‘s immense popularity is how well it sold compared to competing shooters releasing around the same time.

The two biggest FPS franchises are obviously Call of Duty and Battlefield. BF1 went head-to-head with 2016‘s Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare and outsold it by large margins in various metrics:

• Beat Infinite Warfare in physical sales across all platforms (PS4, Xbox One, PC)
• Digital revenue 2X higher than Infinite Warfare & Titanfall 2 COMBINED
• Dominated Infinite Warfare as 2017‘s best selling game in crucial European/Asian markets

Outperforming the mighty Call of Duty juggernaut is no easy feat. For Battlefield 1 to so thoroughly trounce its arch-rival was an incredible achievement that marked a major shift in FPS genre dynamics.

Ongoing Success 6+ Years Later

Now while some games sell a bunch at launch and then quickly fade into obscurity, Battlefield 1 has exhibited exceptional longevity in player counts and sales.

As mentioned earlier it has moved over 15 million total copies to date – a rare milestone for any title. The bulk came during 2016-2018‘s peak years. But even in 2024, BF1 continues to rack up new buyers thanks to healthy player populations, wide acclaim and extensive post-launch content additions like They Shall Not Pass.

In fact, BF1 recently broke its all-time concurrent player record on Steam with almost 50,000 users online simultaneously! Total player numbers across all platforms likely reach into the hundreds of thousands, dwarfing the latest series entry Battlefield 2042.

There‘s just something special about Battlefield 1. The World War 1 aesthetic and combat dynamics, the enveloping atmosphere, memorable multiplayer moments over hundreds of hours, camaraderie between squad mates. Anecdotally, my friends list activity suggests most have gone back to BF1 while 2042 gathers dust.

Key Ingredients Behind Battlefield 1‘s Triumph

So what fueled Battlefield 1‘s meteoric rise and sustained longevity as a top-played shooter 6+ years later? As both a player and industry analyst, I believe several key factors came together:

Unique Historical Setting – The World War 1 theater was a bold, risky choice given its antiquated weapons and vehicles. But the refreshing change of backdrop resonated strongly and helped Battlefield 1 stand out.

Immersive Presentation – DICE nailed the look, feel, sounds of The Great War. Richly detailed maps, horrifying sounds of battle, era-appropriate musical score worked together for incredible immersion.

Tight Core Gameplay – Underneath the spectacle, Battlefield‘s signature conquest, destruction and teamplay fundamentals were finely tuned and polished to a shine.

Marketing Blitz – EA/DICE backed BF1 with one of their most aggressive, expensive promo campaigns ever. From E3 reveals to beta access programs and more, they put this game front-and-center which translated into massive hype.

Each piece came together to form a masterful overall package that clicked with critics and consumers worldwide. Battlefield 1 was everywhere post-release; dominating gaming discussions, racking up awards, achieving record-breaking numbers.

That kind of attention and acclaim kept driving sales long after launch. And now in 2024 there‘s been renewed interest as gamers yearn for a return to early 20th century warfare amidst endless modern/futuristic shooters.

In closing, Battlefield‘s move back in time to World War 1 proved to be an ace up their sleeve and a blockbuster success story still unfolding today. We may never again see an FPS from any publisher demolish records and competitors the way BF1 has over its incredible run since 2016. This game‘s place in the history books has been well earned.