Battlefield has struggled in recent years; that much is obvious. The series has undergone a tumultuous time that began after Battlefield 1 hit the market in 2016 and became one of the best-selling games in the franchise. It was all kind of downhill from there.
In 2021, Electronic Arts released Battlefield 2042, the worst game in the series by far, which flopped at launch.
Recently, the Battlefield Labs playtest sessions have given way to stacks of leaks for Battlefield 6. That was fairly predictable, and some have theorized that it was engineered by Electronic Arts as a way to earn free publicity.
In the Battlefield 6 leaks, we’re seeing a present-day theatre of war populated by traditional soldiers, vehicles, and locales. It’s a back-to-basics shooter with recognizable weapons and a clean UI that’s entirely representative of the heyday of the Battlefield franchise. We can see classic destructive elements, snippets of the class system, and the no-holds-barred action sequences unfold.
In 2011, the team released Battlefield 3, and in 2013, Battlefield 4 came out. For many, those two titles represent the peak of the franchise – and I count myself among that crowd.
It’s important to stress that the Battlefield leaks we’re seeing are from a pre-alpha build of the game, and everything is subject to change. That’s why they’re testing things now and setting up a community-led feedback pipeline.
It has been far too long since a Battlefield game dominated the market, but Battlefield 6 could hit the spot for gamers eager for a broader, more ambitious first-person shooter title. If it’s anything like Battlefield 3 and Battlefield 4, including a campaign a couple of side options, and added modes, it could be a smash hit.
