In 2001, Arma: Cold War Assault launched as the first installment in a series that would transform the shooter genre. More than two decades later, the Arma series remains synonymous with realism, expansive maps and nearly limitless possibilities. Developer Bohemia Interactive has cultivated a loyal community that continues to play a pivotal role in the series' enduring success.
Arma Reforger, the latest entry in the military simulation series, launched in Early Access in May 2022 as a stepping stone toward Arma 4, anticipated for release in 2027. Built on the in-house Enfusion engine, the game initially disappointed due to its technical issues and lack of gameplay innovation. Nearly three years later, however, Reforger appears to have found its footing, achieving a record high in player numbers. According to the developers, 169,210 players were active across PC, Xbox and PlayStation on January 5.
Playable on PS5 for the first time
Since December 12, PlayStation players have been able to join the action, marking an important milestone for Bohemia Interactive. Arma Reforger is the first game in the series available not only on PC and Xbox but also on Sony's console, a move that appears to be paying off. Around 55,000 of the nearly 170,000 players are on PlayStation. While it remains uncertain if the upcoming Arma 4 will launch on PS5, the strong debut of Reforger is an encouraging sign.
Modding community plays an important role
In addition to the PS5 release, the thriving modding scene has been a significant factor in the rising player numbers. Arma Reforger builds on a long-standing strength of the series, as previous Arma titles are renowned for their wealth of high-quality mods. Notably, the survival hit DayZ began as a modification for Arma 2. One standout mod for Reforger is WCS, which shifts the game from its Cold War setting to a modern era, gaining considerable popularity. For a closer look, check out this video by the well-known shooter YouTuber JackFrags:
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Technical problems continue
On Steam, Arma Reforger holds a 72% positive rating from 18,553 reviews as of the time of research. This mixed reception is largely attributed to persistent technical issues, including crashes and bugs. Additionally, many Steam reviewers criticized the developers for raising the game's price shortly before the Steam Winter Sale, effectively nullifying the apparent discount for new players.
Source(s)
Bohemia Interactive via Level Infinite
Image Source: YouTube / GameSpot Trailers