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Player count dips below pre f2 p levels – what's going on?

Declining Player Count Sparks Concern | Community Voices Worries Over Bugs and Frustration

By

Jessica Chen

May 22, 2026, 09:32 AM

2 minutes of duration

A chart showing the drop in player count from before the free-to-play model to now, with a noticeable decline in numbers.
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A significant drop in player numbers since the free-to-play shift has raised alarms among gamers. Current data shows a concurrent player count holding around 10,000, down from approximately 11-12,000 prior to the change. Users are left wondering what changed post-launch.

The Bug Epidemic

Many gamers attribute the dwindling numbers to persistent bugs affecting gameplay. Comments reveal frustrations with crashing and long loading times, which hinder the gaming experience. One user lamented, "The bugs have made the game borderline unplayable." Another echoed with, "It takes 10 years every time you go back to the homebase."

Community Discontent

A growing sense of dissatisfaction is evident. Many have either stopped playing or are considering quitting. "I couldn't even match make with other people," one user commented, highlighting the multiplayer issues. Others noted that fatigue from repetitive gameplay and a lack of engaging content has dampened enthusiasm.

Spotty Player Trends

Player numbers seem to fluctuate, with some reports indicating peaks as high as 15-18,000 during specific times. However, the overall sentiment appears negative, with users struggling to enjoy a game riddled with issues. A player pointed out that some are shifting their focus to other games, saying, "Everyone in Xbox is playing Forza now."

Future Updates and Hope

The anticipation of new content like a battle pass in June raises questions. Will it boost player engagement or further destabilize an already shaky community?

Community Insights

Understanding the current player base dynamics is crucial:

  • 🔽 Many users report higher player counts at times, but issues persist around bugs and load times.

  • 🛠️ "It may be due to the game being infested with bugs right now," a frustrated player stated.

  • ⏳ Longer loading screens post-update have exacerbated the situation, affecting overall enjoyment.

Will future updates resolve these issues, or will the frustration drive players away for good?

"We're right back to where we were before the F2P update," summarizing the community's feelings towards the current situation.

What Lies Ahead for the Game’s Community?

There's a strong chance that the upcoming battle pass set for June could reinvigorate player interest, provided it addresses the core issues that currently frustrate the community. Experts estimate that if the developers can significantly reduce bugs and enhance matchmaking, player counts might rise again toward the 15,000 mark. However, if these problems persist, many gamers could continue to seek solace in other titles, particularly during peak play hours. The game faces a turning point where timely updates and effective communication will be key in restoring trust within this shaken player base.

A Lesson from Revolutionary Innovations

This scenario brings to mind the evolution of personal computing in the early 2000s. Companies like Microsoft faced massive user backlash due to operating system bugs and compatibility issues. Just as frustrated users flocked to alternative solutions during tumultuous updates, the gamers today are finding refuge in titles like Forza. The parallels highlight how critical it is for any platform to maintain functional integrity amid changes, illustrating that loyalty can shift swiftly when frustration runs high. The next steps for this game could very well mirror those pivotal advancements in technology that shaped how we engage with software moving forward.