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Early Access PS5 Racer Outperforms Every October Release Apart from Call of Duty

BeamNG.drive's early access launch on PS5 has surged to become October's second-most downloaded title, trailing only Call of Duty.

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The brief

The racing title BeamNG.drive has achieved significant commercial traction following its early access release on the PlayStation 5. According to reporting from Push Square, the game has outperformed every other release during the month of October, with the sole exception of Call of Duty. This performance is further validated by official data from the PlayStation Store, which listed the top downloads for October 2026 on the PlayStation.Blog. The title is currently operating in an early access capacity, meaning it is available to players before its final, polished version is complete. Coverage of the launch has been widespread across gaming media, with outlets such as Push Square and PlayStation.Blog focusing on the download metrics and market position.

Simultaneously, other publications are evaluating the game's current state and timing. Instant Gaming News has published a review of the PS5 version of BeamNG.drive, specifically questioning whether the title is arriving on consoles too late to maintain its momentum. Thumb Culture has also provided coverage of the release, contributing to the broader critical discussion surrounding the game's transition to the Sony platform. To understand the significance of these numbers, readers must consider the competitive landscape of October 2026. The racing game is competing against major industry staples, most notably the Call of Duty franchise, which typically dominates monthly download charts.

The fact that an early access racer has managed to surpass all other October releases except for one of the largest entertainment properties in the world indicates an exceptionally high level of consumer interest in the BeamNG.drive experience on console hardware. Moving forward, observers will likely track how the game evolves from its early access state to a full release. The critical reception mentioned by Instant Gaming News suggests that the timing of the console port is a primary point of contention. Future updates from the PlayStation Store and PlayStation.Blog will be necessary to determine if BeamNG.drive can maintain its high download volume or if the initial surge was limited to a launch window. The ability of the developer to address the concerns raised in early reviews will be a key factor in its long-term console viability.

Synthesized by PULSE from the headlines below under a strict no-invention contract. ✓ fact-checked: all claims supported by sources Updated 35m ago.

Quick answers

Which game was the only October release to outperform BeamNG.drive?

Call of Duty was the only release to outperform it.

What is the current release status of BeamNG.drive on PS5?

The game is currently in early access.

Which outlet questioned the timing of the console release?

Instant Gaming News raised the question of whether the game is coming to consoles too late.

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