Battlefield 6: How Player Feedback is Shaping the Future
Electronic Arts and DICE have offered new insights into the development of Battlefield 6, sharing how feedback from the game's open beta has influenced changes ahead of its upcoming release. The developers also touched upon future content plans and ongoing community engagement.
According to the studio, Battlefield 6 has become the most extensively tested game in the series' history. During the open beta alone, players logged over 92 million hours in combat, with more than thirty test sessions conducted through Battlefield Labs.
Key Observations from Beta Testing
The beta tests provided valuable data on player preferences, particularly regarding class selection. It was observed that players often adapted their class choice to the specific map. For instance, on the close-quarters map 'Siege of Cairo,' the Support class was a popular choice, while on 'Iberian Offensive,' designed for long-range engagements, the Recon class was frequently selected.
Interestingly, the performance metrics between 'open' playlists (without weapon restrictions) and 'restricted' playlists (with class-specific weapons) showed minimal differences in terms of kills per hour, match duration, and respawn frequency. A significant majority of beta participants preferred the mode without class-based weapon restrictions. Consequently, DICE has decided to make this 'open' weapon system the primary option, while still offering separate playlists for players who prefer the classic, weapon-restricted class experience.
In the unrestricted mode, players showed a greater tendency to use 'non-signature' weapons. However, Recon players consistently favored sniper rifles across both modes, indicating a strong preference for their class archetype. Overall, the weapon distribution was notably balanced, with no single weapon type dominating, suggesting a healthy variety in playstyles and effective weapon balancing.
Refined Playlists and the New 'Community' Hub
DICE experimented with combining multiple game modes into single playlists during the open beta and found that players strongly preferred these mixed selections. As a result, at the launch of Battlefield 6, players will have the option to join both dedicated single-mode playlists (like 'Conquest,' 'Breakthrough,' and 'Escalation') and combined playlists such as 'Conquest and Escalation' or 'Breakthrough and Assault.' This approach aims to streamline matchmaking and offer more varied gameplay sessions without constantly switching modes.
The popular Battlefield Portal feature, which allows players to create and customize game scenarios, has been rebranded to 'Community' in the main menu. This change is designed to make it easier for players to discover and join custom servers and fully utilize Portal's extensive capabilities. New custom scenarios will also be available at launch, and with enhanced tools, including spatial editing, developers are eager to see the innovative creations players will bring to life.
DICE has committed to closely monitoring community feedback, adjusting playlists as needed, and regularly introducing new content.
Ambitious Plans for Future Seasons
The first season of Battlefield 6 is set to kick off on October 28th. Developers have hinted that future seasons will be packed with more content than any previous Battlefield title. More details on this ambitious content roadmap are expected to be revealed in the 'near future.'
The studio also confirmed they are actively listening to community requests, including the desire for naval battles, the return of the small attack helicopter, the introduction of 'Platoons,' and other highly requested features. All player suggestions are being carefully considered as part of the ongoing content planning process. DICE stated, "We value all your suggestions and want you to know – we hear you. With the release of the first season and our plan for the future, we are enthusiastically continuing to create a Battlefield that reflects the desires of players. We will continue to monitor community discussions and look forward to sharing news with you, so please continue to send your feedback."
Launch Day Enhancements and Stability
A significant patch, encompassing over 200 changes and improvements, will be released on launch day. This update will include a rebalanced weapon recoil system, adjustments to vehicle and map balance, improved control responsiveness, refined audio, and enhanced connection stability. Players will be able to experience these post-beta improvements in Battlefield 6 on PC (via Steam and Epic Games Store), Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5.
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