Leaked gameplay footage of Battlefield`s upcoming battle royale mode has emerged online, showcasing features that could set it apart from other games in the genre.
Approximately nine minutes of footage, bearing the watermark of Bilibili user “Misaka_Mikoto_01,” depicts what appears to be an early version of the Battlefield battle royale. This build might originate from the recent Battlefield Labs test. The video starts with loading screens and a loadout menu before the player is deployed onto the mode`s large map.
The video reveals elements like pop-in for buildings and other environmental features. It also shows the player swimming, and later, wielding a sledgehammer to destructively break down bathroom walls, a signature Battlefield mechanic. Walls appeared to require two sledgehammer hits to collapse. Additionally, grenades, ziplines, and a ladder gadget were featured in the leak.
Last summer, publisher EA officially confirmed that a new battle royale mode is in development for the series. Ripple Effect, one of the four studios under the Battlefield Studios umbrella and known for its work on Battlefield 2042`s Portal mode, is reportedly developing this new mode.
This isn`t Battlefield`s first foray into the battle royale genre; Battlefield V in 2018 included “Firestorm,” which supported up to 64 players. Its distinctive closing mechanic was a ring of fire, differing from the toxic gas in Call of Duty: Warzone or Fortnite`s storm.
Launched during the peak of battle royale popularity, Firestorm didn`t achieve the same success as titles like Warzone, Fortnite, or Apex Legends. A key difference was that Firestorm necessitated purchasing Battlefield V, whereas Warzone was available as a standalone free-to-play game.
A teaser for the unnamed Battlefield 6 battle royale mode depicted a destructive fire wave, hinting at a potential return to the Firestorm concept. Battlefield 6 concluded a successful open beta in August, with the full game slated for an October 10th release on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Battlefield Studios has yet to confirm if this new battle royale will be integrated into Battlefield 6 or released as a separate title.