It may feel like it's been months since fans got any update about the next Battlefield game, but thanks to a recent EA earnings call, fans now know that Battlefield 6 is coming this year, with a full reveal of the game slated for spring. While a new entry in the Battlefield franchise is always an exciting time, Battlefield 6 has some stiff competition in Call of Duty.
The last time a Battlefield game went head-to-head with a Call of Duty title was 2018's Black Ops 4, but a lot has changed in the industry since then. Battle royale games have continued to dominate, and there's a heavier emphasis on free-to-play games than there ever has been. With 2021's Call of Duty likely launching around the same time as Battlefield 6, it'll need to do a lot to separate itself from the competition.
Building a Better Battlefield
While not all of the criticism was in good faith, Battlefield 5 was marred in controversy at launch. A lot of that controversy was levied at the game's attempt to represent real-world demographics more accurately, but there were plenty of valid gameplay criticisms directed at Battlefield 5's design decisions. Some of those have been fixed since the game launched, but others still need to be addressed in the next entry.
Making sure that each of the game's classes feels distinct from the others is important, but Battlefield 6 also needs to ensure that each class feels viable. For instance, Battlefield 5's Medic class felt vastly underpowered in the early levels due to its emphasis on SMG weapons, which didn't always click for players, especially on the large maps that the Battlefield franchise is known for. Battlefield 4's customization may very well be the bar, as it offered players tons of weapon options across each class.
If one thing is clear, fans are ready for Battlefield 6 to return to a modern setting. It's been nearly 5 years now since players got a modern entry, with the franchise spending half a decade in WW1 and WW2. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare was praised for its return to modern times when it released back in 2019, and its larger-scale mode Ground War helped fill the hole left by Battlefield's jaunt to the past.
With the number of weapons, vehicles, and equipment items available in modern settings, Battlefield 6 can present more interesting gameplay. Increased customization results in matches that feel more dynamic, which is a big help in a game that emphasizes battlegrounds built to scale. With next-gen hardware now available, fans may get a leap similar to the one they saw moving from Battlefield 4 on the PS3 and Xbox 360 to the PS4 and Xbox One, with better graphics and more players in each match creating a truly massive fight each time.
Battlefield 6 vs. Call of Duty
It's been a big few years for the Call of Duty franchise, and that could be trouble for the long-term health of Battlefield 6. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare broke franchise sales records, and Call of Duty: Warzone was one of the defining games of 2020. Not to mention, Battlefield will be competing for the spotlight alongside whatever Call of Duty game is revealed next. Not only is that competition for attention paramount for Battlefield's success, but it means that the competition for fans' wallets will also be key later this year.
To come out on top, EA and DICE need to put a heavy focus on what makes Battlefield, Battlefield. Large maps, massive battles, and dynamic destruction need to be at the front and center of everything Battlefield 6 reveals leading up to launch. Those that have managed to buy a PS5 and Xbox Series X are looking for fancy new graphics and physics to show them why their purchase was worth it, and few game series have managed to deliver those aspects as well as Battlefield has in the past.
While it may not be the case anymore, Battlefield was once regarded as the "realistic" first-person shooter of the two franchises, and with games like Escape From Tarkov maintaining their popularity, it's clear that there's still a demand for realistic shooters. Battlefield doesn't need to capture the same feeling, and the control scheme required for Escape From Tarkov's level of control simply isn't possible with a controller, but giving players the same feeling of tactical engagements and realistic gunplay is a key factor here.
Limitless Potential
It isn't clear if Battlefield 6 will come to both last-gen and current-gen consoles, and fans likely won't know until the game is revealed later this year. With how difficult it is to find a PS5 or Xbox Series X, it seems likely that the game will also come to PS4 and Xbox One, but that may not be the best decision. Those stuck on last-gen hardware will undoubtedly be getting an inferior version of the game, likely one that can't keep up with whatever new graphics or lighting Battlefield 6 is almost certain to include.
EA was clear that it wants Battlefield 6 to boast immersive battles, and to truly do so that means taking advantage of the PS5 and Xbox Series X's hardware. It may be worth it in the long run to dump the last-gen versions, though that does make it a lot harder for EA to recoup development costs from the game, given how much smaller the install base for the two new consoles is.
A good middle ground would be creating a top-notch campaign mode. Battlefield 3's and 4's respective campaigns weren't groundbreaking per se, but they did a stellar job of showcasing how graphically striking the games were. With Modern Warfare and Black Ops Cold War both putting a heavier emphasis on campaign modes, and Sledgehammer's history of strong narratives in its Call of Duty games, Battlefield 6 going above and beyond would be a great way for DICE to separate its game from the rest.
Luckily, fans only have a few months to wait until they get a taste of what Battlefield 6 has to offer. With a reveal slated for this spring and a release slated for this holiday season, Battlefield fans should have plenty to look forward to. If EA and DICE emphasize the technology that goes into creating Battlefield 6, return to a modern setting, and pack in a stellar campaign, Battlefield 6 could be the game fans have dreamed of.
Battlefield 6 is currently in development.