Black Ops 6 player numbers hit new low following season 5 Reloaded update

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 has hit a new low in player activity, particularly on Steam, following the launch of Season 5 Reloaded. Despite a massive debut in November 2024—with 33.7 million players and recognition as Activision’s most successful launch ever—the game’s momentum has steadily declined.

Steam numbers reflect a clear downward trend. According to SteamDB and Steam Charts, the game peaked at around 63,000 concurrent players in early September, a noticeable drop from August’s 67,540. Even more telling are the average monthly player counts:

• July: ~51,000

• August: ~42,000

• September (early): ~41,000

This marks the lowest average since March 2025, which saw around 44,600 players.

The player base has historically spiked with each seasonal update—like the return of Verdansk in Season 3—but those boosts have become increasingly short-lived. With Season 5 Reloaded, there was no meaningful recovery, suggesting a deeper disengagement.

While Steam isn’t the primary platform for Call of Duty fans, it remains a useful barometer. As YouTuber WhosImmortal noted, “When there are people leaving in waves on Steam, there are also probably people leaving in waves on other platforms.”

These declines raise questions about long-term player retention, even with high-profile updates. Whether Black Ops 6 can bounce back in future seasons—or if players have simply moved on—remains to be seen.