Battlefield 2042, released in 2021, disappointed many long-time fans. However, developers at DICE affirm they`ve incorporated player feedback to improve the upcoming title, provisionally named Battlefield 6. An official unveiling is scheduled for July 24.
Anticipation is high, as the new Battlefield appears poised to return to the series` roots, shedding elements heavily criticized in Battlefield 2042. Notably, the next game will abandon 128-player matches and the controversial Specialist characters, reintroducing the popular four-standard Class system.
The upcoming Battlefield title is set in the modern day, a welcome shift from recent futuristic and historical entries. Development is a collaborative effort across at least four studios under the Battlefield Studios umbrella, and an open beta is confirmed.
Here`s a compilation of all essential information regarding the next Battlefield installment.
Release Window and Development Status
While an official release date for the next Battlefield has not been set, reports suggest a potential launch as early as October 2025, aligning with the typical three-year development cycle seen between previous titles. EA has stated the game will release before March 2026, noting that the launch might be influenced by GTA 6`s release. Daily playtesting for the new Battlefield began in 2024, with the public Battlefield Labs testing program initiating in March 2025. Despite public involvement, the game is currently in a pre-alpha development stage.
Pre-order Availability
Pre-orders for the new Battlefield game are not yet open. Consumers should be wary of any outlets claiming to offer pre-order options at this time.
Trailer and Official Reveal
An official trailer for the upcoming Battlefield title is imminent. Battlefield Studios announced on July 22 that the reveal trailer would premiere on July 24, promising full details upon its release.
Anticipated Platforms
Official platform confirmations for the next Battlefield are pending, though a release on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox consoles is highly probable, especially given that Battlefield Labs testing is confirmed for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. Whether the game will arrive on Nintendo`s upcoming Switch 2 remains to be seen. EA`s future plans for Battlefield on mobile are also uncertain, following the cancellation of a previous mobile Battlefield project and the closure of Alex Seropian`s studio.
Open Beta Details
Currently, only a select group has participated in the Battlefield Labs alpha testing for Battlefield 6. However, Battlefield Studios plans to host an open beta in the future, where players will reportedly have the option to choose between class-locked weapon playlists or unrestricted access. Further details on the open beta are expected soon.
Battlefield Labs Program Insights
February 2025 saw the announcement of Battlefield Labs by EA and DICE – an exclusive, NDA-protected testing program. This initiative allows a limited number of fans early access to the new game to provide crucial feedback. The initial test in March led to several leaks of gameplay footage and details.
Leaked footage notably showcased enhanced destruction elements, a series staple, along with new mechanics such as bolt-action sniper rifles capable of knocking players back and the ability to drag downed teammates to safety – a novel feature for the franchise.
It`s important to note that Battlefield Labs tests feature a pre-release version, meaning aspects of the game are subject to change before the final launch of Battlefield 6.
While sign-ups for Battlefield Labs are open to all, DICE will admit only a select number of participants, initially from North America and Europe. The program is expected to expand to more regions and eventually include tens of thousands of players, encompassing both series veterans and newcomers.
Selected participants will experience an early build of the game, providing feedback to DICE to refine the title. Testing will occur on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S.
DICE emphasizes that Battlefield Labs represents their most ambitious community collaboration to date, launching during a pivotal development phase. The goal is to co-create the game with the community, using the program as a testing ground for concepts and mechanics. Player feedback is deemed crucial for prioritizing features, implementing improvements, and ensuring an authentic Battlefield experience.
An EA Account is mandatory for participation. EA clarified that test sessions will not follow a fixed schedule but will be conducted at suitable times across regions, with communication sent directly to participants.
Content for testing will be early concepts and mechanics, and players should anticipate encountering `rough edges, bugs, and crashes.`
EA reiterated the importance of community collaboration during this critical development phase, with each Battlefield Labs session having specific feedback objectives, ranging from core combat loops and map layouts to overall enjoyment.
Virtually every aspect of the game will undergo testing through Battlefield Labs.
EA expressed pride in the current pre-alpha state of the game, highlighting that community feedback will accelerate development. The testing will initially focus on fundamental gameplay elements like combat and destruction, then progress to balancing weapons, vehicles, and gadgets, and finally integrate these into maps, modes, and squad play.
Iconic modes like Conquest and Breakthrough will be included in Battlefield Labs tests. The program will also serve to refine core Battlefield elements such as the class system (Assault, Engineer, Support, and Recon) to foster more strategic gameplay.
Feedback can be submitted directly through a private Discord channel, which EA teams will use to prioritize, improve, and adjust features to ensure an authentic Battlefield experience for the public release.
Story, Setting, and Characters
Details on the story, setting, and characters for the new Battlefield are sparse, but it`s confirmed to be a modern-day title. This shift is a welcome change from previous entries like Battlefield 2042 (futuristic), Battlefield V (WWII), and Battlefield 1 (WWI), with the return to a contemporary setting receiving positive fan reception.
According to Insider Gaming, the new Battlefield will be set between 2027 and 2030, featuring a campaign centered on a large private military group clashing with NATO. Locations are rumored to include the USA and Gibraltar, with initial concept art reportedly showing a scene in Gibraltar.
Vince Zampella remarked to IGN that the `peak` of the Battlefield series, for him and many players, lies in the modern settings of Battlefield 3 and 4. He suggested a return to these core elements, noting the nostalgia for what he considers the franchise`s `heyday,` alongside Battlefield 1942.
Naming Conventions
The upcoming Battlefield title currently lacks an official name. Insider Gaming suggests that EA is exploring various options, possibly through surveys, with `Battlefield 6` or a simple `Battlefield` being considered.
Potential Battle Royale Mode
Despite EA`s existing success with Apex Legends, a report from Insider Gaming suggests the new Battlefield will feature its own battle royale mode, potentially developed by Ripple Effect. Unlike Battlefield V`s integrated Firestorm mode, this new battle royale is rumored to be a free-to-play standalone title, akin to Activision`s strategy with Call of Duty: Warzone alongside premium Call of Duty releases.
Development Team Collaboration
The development of the new Battlefield is a multi-studio effort under the Battlefield Studios umbrella. DICE, the series creator, is spearheading multiplayer development. Motive (known for Star Wars: Battlefront II and the upcoming Iron Man game) is leading the single-player campaign. Criterion (Need for Speed, Burnout) is focusing on `content and experiences,` while Ripple Effect is developing `a new Battlefield experience,` rumored to be a battle royale mode. All four studios are working on the new Battlefield game under the new Battlefield Studios umbrella.
Vince Zampella, former Call of Duty boss and now head of the Battlefield franchise, aims to build a `Battlefield universe` of interconnected experiences, with this four-studio model being key to that vision. Previously, Marcus Lehto`s studio, Ridgeline, also contributed, but it was closed by EA due to cost-cutting.
Weapons, Destruction, and Core Gameplay
Insider Gaming reports that DICE aims for 45 unique weapons at launch – more than double Battlefield 2042`s initial offering – alongside 10 multiplayer maps, with additional content expected post-release.
Maintaining the series` hallmark destruction, the new Battlefield will reportedly feature `caliber-based destruction` akin to Rainbow Six Siege. Additionally, players will be able to drag downed teammates to safety, a feature also anticipated for the rumored battle royale mode.
Regarding multiplayer, Zampella indicated that 128-player matches are likely being phased out. Battlefield 2042 initially featured these large-scale encounters, but player feedback cited overly large maps and sparse player counts, leading DICE to reduce their scope. This suggests the next title will not repeat the format.
Zampella conveyed to IGN that simply increasing player count to 128 did not necessarily enhance fun. The development team is focused on designing `nice, dense, well-designed play spaces` that are more in line with previous Battlefield titles, prioritizing enjoyable gameplay over sheer numbers.
Specialist characters, which replaced the beloved class system in Battlefield 2042, were another major point of criticism. Zampella, who joined after this design choice, acknowledged the ambition but confirmed that `Specialists will not be coming back` for the new game, reaffirming the return to the core class system fundamental to Battlefield.
Battlefield`s Stance Against Call of Duty
As two leading shooter franchises, Battlefield and Call of Duty often draw comparisons. Zampella believes the new Battlefield has the `possibility` to surpass Call of Duty in sales, but emphasized EA`s primary goal is to create a distinct product, rather than directly competing.
While not directly aiming to `take down Call of Duty,` Zampella noted that surpassing its sales is always a possibility. He affirmed that the focus is on creating a unique Battlefield experience, distinct from Activision`s series.