Battlefield 6: Is the series finally ready for its esports moment?

After countless rumours, leaks, and speculation, Battlefield 6 was finally confirmed by publisher EA on July 24 with a reveal trailer, promising more details about its multiplayer mode on July 31.

Since the first-person shooter series debuted in 2002 with Battlefield 1942, first developed by DICE for PC, it has become a seminal franchise, with numerous spinoffs and sequels. The last entry, Battlefield 2042, received an average reception, partly due to its disappointing campaign mode and bugs.

This is why the Battlefield 6 trailer feels like a new beginning for the series. But with several leaks already revealing its tentative release date and multiplayer mode, as well as a battle-royale map, we can’t help but feel that the new entry could be the series’ time to shine for esports.

Revealing Battlefield 6 on July 24 with a trailer, EA also brought out a press release with a short description. “The trailer offers a first look at Pax Armata, a Private Military Corporation (PMC) bankrolled by former NATO states whose agenda threatens to throw the world into global conflict. This sets the scene for what players can expect on the battlefield, both in multiplayer and the return of the series’ single-player campaign.

In Battlefield 6, the series’s incredible blend of visceral combat, epic warfare, and player freedom returns. Blow through walls and bring down buildings for a tactical advantage or take to the skies in white-knuckle dogfights. Take part in a war filled with tanks, fighter jets, and sweeping combat at a grand scale, but remember, “the deadliest weapon is your squad.”

The trailer, which runs for almost two minutes, shows that Battlefield 6 will take place in a modern setting, where vehicles like jeeps and jets can be controlled and used to defeat opponents and help teammates when needed.

The next round of reveals will come with the multiplayer trailer on July 31 at 11:30 AM PDT / 2:30 PM EDT.

Battlefield has been known as a series that relies on tactical planning, rather than running and shooting, which you can find in the Call of Duty series. It’s mainly why you can look up an esports event right now, and you’ll likely find the game, or Warzone, somewhere in a schedule.

It’s also why Battlefield 2042 was not well-received. When it launched in 2021, it was beset with issues across the board — from its modes to its mechanics, it was more of a rarity not to experience bugs. There was also no battle royale mode, something which felt like a big misfire for the series in 2021, considering Call of Duty was riding high with Warzone, and Fortnite was growing even more.

All of these factors ultimately hindered the game, and even though seven expansions have been released since, the game was never able to shake off its poor reputation. This can cause ripples in the series, affecting its long-term players moving to other titles like Call of Duty, or not being strong enough to be marketed for events like esports. 

Again, Battlefield shines when it relies on its tactical gameplay. When you play a match in games like Call of Duty, you’re usually dropped straight into the action to rack up points, win, level up, and repeat. For Battlefield, patience and planning are crucial to winning matches, especially over its sprawling maps, far bigger than Call of Duty’s.

Leaks have already revealed a battle-royale mode coming to Battlefield 6 and gameplay that looks more refined and focused than what 2042 brought in 2021. This provides hope for fans and could translate well into esports, especially its battle-royale mode.

Events like the Esports World Cup (EWC) and EVO are fast-paced, but slower games like League of Legends and Dota 2 have also become some of the biggest esports games, and Battlefield could fill a niche as a slower first-person shooter. Games like Counter-Strike 2 and Rainbow Six Siege have proven that, but Battlefield 6 could help define that further for players, while also scratching that itch for a battle-royale mode.

Dropping into sprawling maps but with destructible environments, mixed with dog-fighting and more players than in other Battlefield titles, could give it an edge in the FPS genre.

However, with EA confirming in a press release that it will reveal Battlefield 6’s multiplayer mode on July 31, we should better understand how the game will fit into esports sooner rather than later.

It feels like a seminal moment is about to happen for the Battlefield series. For four years, players have been disappointed by 2042 with its bug-ridden gameplay and unfocused modes that had players questioning where Battlefield stood in the FPS genre.

But Battlefield Studios has been taking its time with Battlefield 6, clearly learning the lessons from Battlefield 2042. And while the Battlefield Labs are under strict NDA lock and key agreements, there’s a sense that things are heading in the right direction when it comes to gameplay and graphics.

Even with the leaks revealing a battle-royale mode, if EA delivers with Battlefield 6, it could redefine what a tactical-based FPS is in the esports scene and be a staple at events for years to come.