The extensive open beta for Battlefield 6 has concluded, and the developers at Battlefield Studios have addressed the feedback received, particularly concerning map sizes and player counts across its various modes.
One of the primary concerns for players following the beta was the status of Battlefield 6`s larger maps. While Liberation Peak, the largest map in the beta, was quite popular with those who enjoyed the series` classic large-scale warfare (despite an overabundance of snipers), many felt a desire for more. This dissatisfaction was amplified by the beta`s apparent focus on smaller maps and modes, such as Breakthrough and Rush, on infantry-centric arenas like Siege of Cairo, Iberian Offensive, and eventually, Empire State.
In response to players` desire for more substantial maps, which have already been revealed by dataminers, Battlefield Studios has reassured the community that “larger-scale maps are already part of our launch package” and are on their way. The announcement specifies that two significantly larger maps—one located in Mirak Valley and another a remake of Battlefield 3`s Operation Firestorm—will be included in the next phase of Battlefield Labs testing, which will continue leading up to Battlefield 6`s launch on October 10.
Battlefield fans have come to expect certain characteristics from the games, and a core tenet is a higher player count than the average multiplayer FPS title. However, many were disappointed when the fan-favorite Rush mode was introduced during the second beta weekend with a significantly smaller lobby size than usual, supporting up to 24 players in intense 12v12 matches.
Rush typically involves teams alternately defending and attacking pairs of bomb sites and has supported larger lobbies in previous titles, which is why its implementation in the new game has displeased fans. This mode, along with the 64-player Conquest mode, is often considered a hallmark of the Battlefield series, emblematic of its emphasis on grand battles, so any significant change was bound to cause a stir. Battlefield Studios acknowledges players` concerns but also believes that this downsizing might be the best move for Rush currently, aligning with what they refer to as the mode`s “golden era.”
The team stated, “Regarding Rush, the discussion we observed wasn`t solely about player count, but also about how maps play and the tactical experience they offer. Rush is a mode with deep roots, originally known as Gold Rush in [Battlefield] Bad Company, where matches typically ranged from 12v12 to 16v16 players. Many of you recall this as the golden era of Rush, and it continues to inspire our approach today.”
Furthermore, the developers explained that despite experimenting with larger lobby sizes in the past, these inflated player counts often led to issues that are now streamlined or eliminated entirely by reducing numbers and emphasizing smaller-team tactics. Consequently, the team is adhering to its lowered default player count for Rush but encourages players desiring large-scale Rush experiences to use Portal, Battlefield`s custom matchmaking and level-building mode.
Additionally, the post provided more details about the overall beta statistics. As many might have inferred from queues, livestreams, videos, and social media posts, Battlefield 6`s open beta was a tremendous success for EA. According to a graphic released by the team, approximately 420 million matches were played over the two beta weekends, accumulating a total of about 92 million hours of gameplay. Players achieved over 4.9 billion kills, shot down nearly 4 million jets, and inflicted 196 billion dollars in property damage.
Battlefield 6 is set to launch on October 10 for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.