Hello everyone,
In this Community Update we will share how we are translating insights from community feedback into changes and improvements for the launch of Battlefield 6 on October 10.
What We Learned
With over 30 Battlefield Labs sessions successfully completed alongside our community, and a total of 92,351,578 hours played during the Open Beta, Battlefield 6 is the most tested and iterated Battlefield game in history, and player agency remains at the heart of it.
Battlefield 6 has more ways to play than ever, and through the Open Beta, we aimed to validate at scale that offering multiple playlists in parallel would not compromise the authentic Battlefield experience
Here is a closer look at some of the most important data points we reviewed, and our summarized findings for each:
Class Pick Rates:
The map layout was the main deciding factor for class picks. For example, Support had a higher pick rate on Siege of Cairo which is a CQC focused map. On Iberian Offensive with more long distance combat opportunities, we saw an increased pick rate for Recon.
Comparing between Open and Closed Weapon playlists we observed mostly identical class pick rates with 1-2% difference at most.
Kills Per Hour:
Kills Per Hour (KPH) also remained virtually consistent for both playlist types. Open Weapons players scored 0.2 more KPH in Conquest, and 0.1 in Breakthrough.
Match Length:
Match duration increased slightly within Closed Weapons playlists by up to 45 seconds, or about a 3.75% difference for both Breakthrough and Conquest.
Revives:
We also observed a slightly higher revive rate for Closed Weapons at 3% for Breakthrough, and 2% for Conquest, which coincides with the slightly longer match duration.
Signature Weapon Usage:
More players played with non-signature weapons in Open Weapon playlists. However, Recon players still favored Sniper Rifles over other weapons, and their pick rate was identical between both playlist types.
There was not a single dominant weapon archetype, and we observed a consistent and well-distributed pick rate between them. This balance shows that even with different playlist types, players explored a wide variety of options without one class standing out above the rest.
Time in Combat:
There were no differences of note for time players spent in combat between Open and Closed Weapon playlist types. The actual differences were only fractions of a percentage where, rounded up, the results were identical.
Lastly, another key insight from the Open Beta was that the vast majority of players, after trying both playlist types, chose to stick with Open Weapons. This reinforces our belief that Open Weapons is the right path forward for Battlefield 6. At the same time, we recognize that some players prefer the Closed Weapons experience. To support them, official Closed Weapons playlists will be available at launch.
Additionally, Closed Weapons mutators will remain part of the Portal toolset, so players can create and share their own custom experiences.
Menu and Playlist Updates
For launch we are also making further changes and improvements to playlists and menus as a direct result of some of your feedback.
All launch maps will be available across playlists from day one, giving you the freedom to play whichever map you prefer.
We tested having multiple modes in a single playlist during the Open Beta and learned that players favored playlists with combined modes. We will continue to iterate and adjust playlists to deliver the best Battlefield experiences possible. You’ll have the flexibility to play in both single-mode and mixed-mode playlists. At launch, Conquest, Breakthrough, and Escalation will each have their own dedicated playlists. Alongside these, you will see combined playlists such as Conquest & Escalation and Breakthrough & Rush so you do not have to stop matchmaking when switching between those experiences. If you want to focus on a specific mode outside of playlists, you can always find it through Custom Search and the Server Browser.
Custom Search enables you to select which map and/or mode combo you prefer and you will be matchmade into a match with these search criteria if available. You will have a higher chance to be matchmade into your preference the more you broaden your search.
Portal remains the tool for creating and customizing experiences, while the section in the main menu previously called “Portal” is now called “Community”. This is where you will find the Server Browser, which is now prominently featured to make it easier to find and use. Separately, we will launch with Breakthrough, Conquest and Rush as verified modes within the Server Browser. This enables us to, for example, feature official Hardcore experiences that we know many of you are excited for.
At launch, you will also find new custom experiences designed to add even more gameplay variety. This will be your first chance to dive into the new and improved Battlefield Portal toolset, now featuring powerful options like spatial editing. We cannot wait to see the creative ways in which you’ll use these tools to build and share your own experiences.
Launch Playlist Rotations
We’ve learned a lot from the Open Beta, and we’re using your feedback as our foundation for launching Battlefield 6. When the game goes live, you’ll find a range of playlist options to jump into, including:
Single-mode playlists for favorites like Breakthrough and Conquest
Closed Weapons experiences
Intense close-quarters battle playlists
Action-packed All-Out Warfare playlists
We’ll be paying close attention to your feedback, adjusting playlists, and adding new options to make sure things always feel fresh and you can easily find a match that suits your style. Please keep sharing your thoughts—this is just the beginning!
On the Horizon
We are incredibly excited for you to join us on the battlefield at launch, and this is just the beginning for Battlefield 6 as shortly after launch we will launch Season 1 on October 28:
Our Seasons will have more content than ever before in a Battlefield game, and we will unpack that with you in more detail during an upcoming moment.
There is much more to look forward to beyond our Seasons as our team continues reviewing Battlefield Labs data, player feedback, and ideating on completely new ideas for the future, starting with an exciting new Battlefield take on Battle Royale. Separately, requests for naval warfare have not gone unnoticed, nor have the calls for a certain fan-favorite little helicopter, platoons, and more.
We appreciate all of your suggestions, and want you to know we’re listening. With Season 1 and our roadmap ahead, we’re excited to continue to build a Battlefield that reflects what players want. We'll continue reading and listening to community channels, and we cannot wait to share more with you, so keep the feedback coming. Also be sure to join our official Battlefield Discord for more discussion and the latest updates.
Up Next
The following gameplay updates will be included in our launch day patch, with over 200 changes focused on bug fixes, balance improvements, and polish for release. Stay tuned for the full launch day update notes closer to launch!
Player
You’ll notice that movement feels more responsive, with changes made to pacing and with several movement issues addressed to keep gameplay smooth and balanced.
Weapons
Recoil has been rebalanced on automatic weapons, making long-range gunplay more characteristic, rewarding tap firing and burst control.
Numerous weapon attachments have been fixed so they now display correctly in menus and in-game.
Gadgets
The LTLM II (Laser Designator) has been refined with smoother deploy animations, updated visuals, and several fixes for better feel when used.
The MBT-LAW is now the default Engineer launcher, with a more accurate trajectory, improved guidance, and clearer sights.
The MAS 148 Glaive is enhanced with more realistic missile path, improved zoom and lock-on, sharper scope visuals, and more reliable vehicle damage.
Deploy Beacons are now limited to one spawn per player (four per squad total), helping maintain balance and prevent overuse.
Maps and Modes
Rush and Breakthrough layouts have been revised for better balance between attackers and defenders.
Operation Firestorm has been updated with improved vaulting, lightning, and performance, while Siege of Cairo spawn killing and Out of Bounds issues have been addressed.
UI & HUD
UI and HUD elements are clearer, with updated overlays, animated pings, new minimap options, and smoother loadout and deploy navigation.
Settings
Settings and controls have expanded with new options like VO volume sliders, sprint bob reduction, and a camera roll toggle for accessibility, plus refinements across platforms.
Audio
Audio has been cleaned up so pings are easier to hear, weapons and vehicles sound sharper, and missing delayed effects won’t get in the way of your awareness.
Network
Netcode improvements reduce desync, make time-to-death feel fairer, and address cases of invisible damage.
Thanks again for your trust, excitement and feedback that helped us shape the Battlefield 6 experience. See you at launch!
//The Battlefield Team
This announcement may change as we listen to community feedback and continue developing and evolving our Live Service & Content. We will always strive to keep our community as informed as possible.