Restoring the Battlefield Legacy: A Deeper Dive into Battlefield 6's Development
The team behind Battlefield 6 faced a significant challenge: to revitalize the franchise and avoid the pitfalls that plagued previous titles. With four studios—Ripple Effect, DICE, Criterion Games, and Motive Studio—collaborating, the focus has been squarely on stability, performance, and player feedback. IGN recently spoke with the game's creators about their battle against cheaters, lessons learned from Battlefield 2042, handling leaks, and much more.
Optimizing Performance and Graphics for Consoles
Christian Buhl, Technical Director at Ripple Effect, elaborated on the two distinct modes for PlayStation 5 players: “Performance” and “Fidelity.” The Performance Mode prioritizes high frame rates, with developers making slight visual adjustments to maintain 80+ frames per second (fps). Conversely, Fidelity Mode pushes all visual effects to their maximum—high-resolution textures and maximum detail—while targeting a stable 60 fps. This approach ensures that visual quality doesn't come at the cost of smooth gameplay.
For the PlayStation 5 Pro, Battlefield 6 aims for even higher resolutions. Fidelity Mode will run at 2160p (up from 1440p), and Performance Mode will hit 1620p (up from 1280p).
Xbox Series S players will experience the game in a single, optimized mode, consistent with the console's hardware limitations. The primary goal for this platform was to achieve a stable 60 fps at 1080p, a target the developers are confident in meeting. Buhl noted that limited memory on the Series S (8-10GB of RAM compared to Series X, PS5, or average PCs) was a major hurdle, requiring extensive optimization of levels and graphical settings to ensure smooth performance. Despite the complexity, their experience across multiple platforms made the task manageable.
Cross-Play and the Fight Against Cheaters
Battlefield 6 features an intuitive in-game toggle for console cross-play. By default, console players are matched with other console users, with PC players joining lobbies only if needed to fill slots. Matthew Nickerson, Senior Console Combat Designer, emphasized the complete overhaul of aim assist compared to Battlefield 2042. "We've now introduced it for what we call the 'combat triangle' – infantry versus infantry, infantry versus vehicles, and vehicles versus vehicles – to ensure controller players have a harmonious experience, unlike perhaps what might have been slightly easier with keyboard and mouse. We take cross-play very seriously and strive to make it balanced across the board. This is an extremely important aspect for us and for Battlefield 6."
While cross-play is enabled by default, players can opt out of PC cross-play, limiting matches to consoles only. PlayStation and Xbox users will still be able to play together. Christian Buhl affirmed the team's commitment to combating cheaters, especially on PC where they are more prevalent. To address this, players are required to enable secure boot, and a new anti-cheat system called Javelin has been implemented. A dedicated PC team monitors violations, analyzes data, and bans offenders, working closely with an additional Electronic Arts team. While complete eradication of cheaters is an ongoing "cat and mouse game," developers are actively fighting cheating, deeming it critical for the game's integrity. The ultimate goal is for console players to feel comfortable enabling cross-play with PC, confident that the vast majority of players are fair, and that the developers are working hard to maintain that trust.
Valuable Player Feedback from Beta Testing
The Battlefield team highlighted the open beta's success, confirming positive expectations among fans. The most significant achievement was gathering feedback from real players outside internal testing and Battlefield Labs. This allowed developers to view the project through the eyes of ordinary users and gain fresh perspectives on elements they had become accustomed to.
According to Matthew Nickerson, the beta was instrumental in refining key aspects like improving aiming, weapon balance, cross-play settings, and addressing control discrepancies across platforms. The core objective is to ensure that every player, regardless of platform, receives the highest quality Battlefield 6 experience. The beta also provided critical data for active mechanic adjustments, including changes to loadout kits. For example, moving the spawn beacon from the Recon to the Assault class was a direct result of player feedback. Many of these discussions are ongoing and will continue post-launch to continuously improve the game.
Christian Buhl clarified that the open beta wasn't their first venture into user data collection. Since the beginning of the year, the team had been running BF Labs—tests with real players, albeit on a smaller scale. The consistent goal was to observe what players enjoyed, disliked, and how they reacted to different aspects of Battlefield 6. Beyond qualitative feedback, the team collected performance, stability, and crash data, allowing them to identify and fix bugs in preparation for launch. Buhl acknowledged that not all player wishes could be implemented, but their opinions heavily influence decision-making. He noted that the beta's technical performance was strong, and launch performance should be even better.
Maps and Game Modes: Addressing Player Concerns
Asked about beta testers' feedback regarding maps being too small and whether locations would be redesigned to be less cluttered, Christian Buhl confirmed the team was aware of these comments. He explained that smaller maps were chosen for the open beta primarily because they were ready for showcasing. Meanwhile, larger maps were already being tested in BF Labs, and feedback was being gathered on them. Buhl believes there's no need to change the smaller maps due to complaints, as they offer a different gameplay experience. The larger maps, he stated, provide the "massive scale" experience synonymous with classic Battlefield. He emphasized that feedback was collected on all maps, and changes were made, though he didn't provide specific details.
Matthew Nickerson added that adjustments were made through the lens of game modes. For instance, M-COM positions on certain maps might have been too close or inconveniently placed, leading to changes for smoother gameplay. The aim is to make each map balanced and engaging, with natural choke points, challenging areas, and intense defensive positions, particularly in modes like Rush.
Portal and the Server Browser: Player-Driven Experiences
The IGN journalist inquired about the server browser in Portal mode and its readiness for launch. Developers confirmed that tests were successful. Portal will feature a server browser, including "verified" game sessions. Buhl noted that players desire a server browser, and the team is working to meet those expectations. He clarified that different players have different interpretations of what a server browser entails, so developers are aiming to provide functionality useful to the majority. Ultimately, the launch will include a browser allowing players to either instantly join matches or search for specific games on particular servers. Customizable search, similar to the open beta, will also be available to improve match finding times and quality, offering players several options to tailor their Battlefield experience.
Learning from Battlefield 2042 and Collaborative Development
Creating Battlefield 6 has been a multi-year endeavor filled with significant challenges. Following the issues with Battlefield 2042, a core objective became delivering a stable and high-performing product. Developers actively sought player feedback, forming the foundation of Battlefield Labs. Extensive testing farms for PCs and consoles were built to repeatedly run the game, identifying performance and stability issues.
The project's scope also grew considerably. While previous titles were primarily developed by DICE with support from other studios, Battlefield 6 saw four global teams working concurrently. This collaborative approach blended diverse expertise: DICE's deep understanding of Battlefield, Criterion and Motive's experience in single-player and racing games, and Ripple Effect's work on Portal mode. This integration of ideas and skills proved challenging but highly productive, resulting in a larger and higher-quality game than any single team could have achieved alone. From a design perspective, work revolved around testing theories and refining mechanics based on player feedback. The team analyzed lessons from BF 2042 regarding cross-play, weapon balance, and aiming/shooting mechanics. Intensive daily tests with controllers were crucial to ensure an equitable cross-play experience between consoles and PC. Controllers were actively integrated into all design aspects, aiming for every mechanic to feel right across all input devices.
"Secretly Console First": A New Development Philosophy
From the outset, significant attention was given to the console version of the game. The team built Battlefield 6 to feel like a complete console title, not just a PC port. While PC player needs were considered, the primary focus was on ensuring that controls, balance, and the overall feel of the shooter on a gamepad were natural and comfortable. This approach marks a departure from previous titles where console versions often adapted from the PC build. Ripple Effect even coined a playful internal motto: "Secretly Console First." It reflects the team's philosophy of honoring the series' PC legacy while giving special consideration to console player comfort.
An example of this commitment was a two-year-old practice: the team tracked how many testers used controllers daily and provided them to anyone participating in checks. This helped even traditional PC players become accustomed to gamepads, gathering essential data for optimizing controller-based gameplay.
Leaks Are Inevitable: "Everything Will Leak!"
The team understood early on that leaks were unavoidable given the extensive testing through BF Labs. While developers did not encourage leaks and took measures to mitigate risks, their priority remained gathering player feedback and telemetry data. "I remember giving a big presentation where one slide read: 'What will leak? Everything.' We immediately assumed leaks were inevitable. But I emphasize again: we didn't aim for them, we didn't encourage them, but the priority was to let people play, collect real telemetry, real data – even if it meant the risk of leaks. We're doing some things now to make them harder, but the main principle remains: the game needs to be in players' hands, even if information gets out ahead of time," said Christian Buhl.
A Grim, Grounded, and Realistic Battlefield
Developers are confident in their chosen direction towards a darker realism and have no plans to change it. They want Battlefield to remain a serious and grounded shooter, distinct from more "fun" games like Fortnite, and are pleased with its current aesthetic. From a design perspective, the team monitors competitors but avoids simply copying trends, instead focusing on what suits Battlefield. The "Road to Battlefield 6" event in Battlefield 2042, offering 30 premium skins, serves as an example of the cosmetic direction for the new game.
Embracing Community Humor as Valuable Feedback
Developers admitted that memes about "sniper glint galore" from the beta both amused and made them think. While it was funny to see players humorously react to imbalance, it also provided valuable feedback indicating gameplay needed refinement. Post-beta, the team reduced the intensity of sniper glint and tracer visibility.
Developers also mentioned that such jokes help them stay honest, reminding them that work is ongoing. They cited a viral video of a player wreaking havoc with a shotgun, leading them to re-evaluate its balance. The creators view such community reactions as a sign of engagement and a source of ideas for improving the game. According to the developers, one of Battlefield's most valuable elements is player freedom. Players can approach objectives in countless ways: rushing a room head-on or blowing up a wall to flank. Such situations make each battle unique and allow for creative problem-solving. Developers noted many amusing moments in the beta, such as a tank exploding with its turret spinning chaotically. The team debated whether to remove such bugs but decided to keep some, as they create signature "Battlefield moments" and bring smiles to players. Even physical absurdities, they believe, can become part of the game's charm.
Class Flexibility and the Vision for the "Best Battlefield"
Developers explained that the debate over weapon restrictions for classes is a philosophical one. They don't want to dictate how players engage with Battlefield, thus supporting both open and fixed weapon loadouts. The beta facilitated extensive data collection, and the team plans to continue developing both systems to allow players to choose their preferred playstyle. The core idea for Battlefield 6 is "play your way."
Developers underscored that their goal from the beginning was to create the best Battlefield yet, and they are confident they have succeeded: the game is massive, with a rich selection of maps, modes, and weapons. Furthermore, the creators hinted at an extensive pipeline of post-launch content designed to regularly "shake up" Battlefield 6 and offer players fresh experiences. Players can jump into the highly anticipated Battlefield 6 on PC (Steam, Epic Games Store), Xbox Series, and PlayStation 5 starting October 10. There will be no Russian localization in the game.
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