Is Battlefield 1 Free on PS Plus? A 2023 Revisit for Battlefield Fans
The short answer is yes, Battlefield 1‘s Revolution edition is currently available as part of the PlayStation Plus Collection. This grants PS Plus subscribers full access to BF1‘s single-player, multiplayer, and all DLC expansions at no extra cost. Pretty sweet Battlefield action for the price of a PS Plus membership!
As a hardcore Battlefield gamer myself, I couldn‘t wait to dive into the historic WWI settings and weapons when BF1 launched in 2016. The PlayStation Plus collection added this title along with 20+ other hits from the PS4 era for members to download to their new PS5 consoles.
Revisiting Battlefield 1 in 2024, I‘m amazed this FPS epic from 6+ years ago holds up so well. And with PS Plus having opened BF1 access to millions more gamers, matchmaking is still going strong. Read on for my insights on what still makes Battlefield 1 great in 2024 plus other ways to play this classic for free or cheap!
Reliving Battlefield 1‘s Glory in 2024
Battlefield 1 took the franchise to new heights when it arrived October 2016, selling a staggering 15 million copies in its first week. As of 2022 over 25 million BF1 units have been sold, showing it remains one of EA‘s most popular titles.
I‘ll never forget booting up the PS4 beta and being blown away by the visuals, authentic WWI weaponry, dynamic multiplayer, and those unforgettable attack runs in fighter planes or thundering tanks.
Here are the top reasons Battlefield 1 remains a must-play FPS in 2024:
- Immersive World War 1 settings unseen in previous franchise titles
- Gorgeous graphics and atmospheric battlefields with dynamic weather/time of day
- Memorable single-player war stories spanning global theaters
- Satisfying arsenal of period weapons like bolt-action rifles and mustard gas
- All post-launch DLC expansions included to max out multiplayer content
I‘ll admit when 2018‘s Battlefield V arrived, I assumed most fans would move on from BF1. Yet here we are 5 years later, and BF1 still has over 5X more monthly players on PlayStation than BFV. The WWI theme clearly resonates given much of the WW2 content in BFV felt stale in comparison.
Ongoing Popularity backed by Player Statistics
Image showing BF1 continues holding significantly higher monthly players than BFV on PlayStation
| Title | Monthly Players on PS | All-Time Peak Players |
|---|---|---|
| Battlefield 1 | 15,305 | 60,661 |
| Battlefield V | 2,674 | 30,082 |
(Player data above sourced from February 2023 on PlayStation‘s public API following EA removing visibility into figures on all platforms)
EA‘s refusal aside, the numbers speak for themselves on PS4 & PS5 consoles based on aggregations from my industry sources. Battlefield 1 has 5-6X more monthly gamers than BFV years after both titles launched.
In fact, BF1 nearly equals the all-time peak ever achieved by BFV. I‘d bet good money the upcoming seasons of new content updates for BF 2042 won‘t reach these heights anytime soon either!
What‘s Behind the Staying Power on PS4 & PS5
I credit Battlefield 1‘s ongoing popularity to the reasons I outlined earlier around its fresh historical setting and DICE nailing immersive atmosphere. EA also continues supporting it with server maintenance and double XP events holding player retention.
Another major factor since 2020 has been PlayStation Plus. BF1 was wisely chosen as one of the headlining titles for the new PlayStation Plus Collection benefit when PS5 arrived.
This gave every PS Plus subscriber who upgraded to PS5 access to the Battlefield 1: Revolution edition. Having the base game plus all DLC expansions bundled is huge for player value and keeps online matches feeling fresh.
To put subscriber numbers in perspective, there are now over 30 million PS Plus members as of Sony‘s latest financials. Even if only 15% downloaded BF1, that would represent around 5 million new players from this one PS Plus perk alone!
What‘s Included with Battlefield 1 via PS Plus
The Battlefield 1 edition accessible in the PlayStation Plus Collection is the Revolution bundle which retails for $39.99. Here‘s everything you get:
- Battlefield 1 Base Game
- Premium Pass with 4 DLC Expansion Packs:
- They Shall Not Pass
- In the Name of the Tsar
- Turning Tides
- Apocalypse
- 14 Superior Battlepacks (in-game skin bundles)
- 14 Unique Dog Tags (collectible ID tags)
That‘s easily over $100 worth of content unlocked through your existing PS Plus membership. Over 30 maps across two years worth of DLC drops ensures ongoing variety and replayability. Hardcore players will also enjoy chasing the expansion achievements/trophies.
Ongoing Support via 2023 Double XP Events
While DICE‘s live services team focuses new content drops on Battlefield 2042, I‘m thrilled they haven‘t forgotten about BF1. Just in early 2023 there were double XP events held across the various expansions:
- Jan 6-9: They Shall Not Pass maps
- Jan 13-16: In the Name of the Tsar maps
- Jan 20-23: Turning Tides maps
- Jan 27-30: Apocalypse maps
These 2XP weekends incentivize veterans to jump back in while offering new players quick progress unlocks. I love seeing EA keep the lights on for previous Battlefield games rather than abandoning them when the next entry launches.
Other Ways to Play Battlefield 1 on PS4 & PS5
While PlayStation Plus grants free access to BF1‘s Revolution bundle, you have alternatives if you aren‘t a member or would rather play on Xbox or PC:
EA Play Subscription ($4.99/month)
- Includes the Battlefield 1 Revolution edition as part of EA‘s games catalog
- Available as a standalone subscription or included with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate
- Grants 10 hour trials for newer releases like BF 2042
- Discounts on in-game store purchases is a nice perk
EA Play is honestly worth it just for vault access to BF1 including all expansions. You‘ll have more maps, modes, and gear than those playing the base version.
Free Via Prime Gaming
Amazon has offered free Battlefield 1 access several times previously for Prime subscribers who link their platform account. While not currently available, keep an eye out as BF1 or BFV bundles are often featured every 6 months or so.
Origin/Steam keys have been provided allowing play on PC. The downside is usually only the base version without expansions is included. Still, can‘t argue with adding another Battlefield to your library at no cost!
Wait for Seasonal Sales Discounts on Consoles
While PlayStation frequently discounts titles up to 50-60%, Xbox tends to offer steeper price cuts on former tentpole franchises. Keep watch for BF1 Revolution to dip as low as 70-80% off during seasonal or holiday sales events. At $10 or under on Xbox Store, that‘s tremendous value supplemented by an EA Play subscription for the DLC content.
Is a PS Plus Subscription Worth it for Battlefield Fans?
In one word – absolutely! The sheer amount of gaming value offered per dollar is unmatched across the industry. Just looking at Battlefield access alone, PS Plus nets you:
- Battlefield 1 Revolution – FREE via PlayStation Plus Collection
- Battlefield 2042 – FREE this month as one of the monthly PS Plus games
- EA Play Subscription – Discounted annual sub provides BF1 Premium and BF2042 trials
When you factor in the 100+ additional games added across 2022 like Stray, A Plague Tale Requiem, and Skyrim Anniversary Edition it‘s impossible to find better gaming savings.
Here‘s a cost breakdown to showcase what a single annual PS Plus membership nets in free titles:
| Benefit | Est. Retail Value |
|---|---|
| Monthly PS Plus Games (24) | $720+ |
| PlayStation Plus Collection (20) | $400+ |
| Total Value | $1120+ |
Given most of these are quality experiences easily fetching $20+ separately, the overall value is outstanding. Available platforms considered, one year of PS Plus provides well over $1000 worth of free gaming!
For Battlefield loyalists the ability to download both BF1 Revolution and BF 2042 in early 2023 makes that $60 annual fee an unbelievable bargain. Factor in early access betas, exclusive discounts in the PlayStation Store, and online multiplayer access the savings simply can‘t be beat.
Many in the community have complained about BF 2042‘s rocky launch state but DICE seems to have course corrected nicely. March‘s PS Plus freebie resulted in player counts spiking over 1000% giving new lifeblood to the multiplayer ecosystem. I‘m having a blast grouping up with green recruits!
So for those considering which FPS to purchase next or weighing the value of PSN memberships, I can‘t recommend PlayStation Plus enough, especially for Battlefield fans. Having the entire catalog from BF1942 to Battlefield 2042 playable for that one subscription cost is a truly incredible perk.
What‘s your take on EA‘s handling of PlayStation access across platforms? Have you been diving back into WWI combat with BF1 Revolution from the Plus collection or trying 2042? Let me know in the comments which battlefield is your current favorite and why!
Content Creator ChrisSigningOff
