In an effort to reassure fans, Battlefield 6 developers have confirmed that there are larger maps to explore beyond the ones showcased in the open beta. This news comes after a lot of criticism from players who felt the maps in the beta were too small and the gameplay felt too fast. The game is off to a pretty good start, with the beta bringing in some pretty big numbers, including over 600,000 Steam sales and 2.7 million wishlists so far.
Still, it seems the developers still have some work to do when it comes to player feedback, especially about the size of the maps. David Sirland, a lead producer at DICE, took to X (formerly Twitter) to address the community’s concerns directly. He explained that the decision to feature small, cramped maps in the beta was completely intentional.
Battlefield 6 Has Bigger Maps, Just None for Players Yet
Sirland said this was done to “make sure we hit the full-octane version of Battlefield on the head”. It was basically a way to show that they could handle this kind of intense, fast-paced gameplay during the beta period. Sirland also pointed out that “speed is a factor of map size,” which is why many players might have felt the gameplay was too fast for their liking.
He did, however, promise that “large maps exist” in Battlefield 6, and the game’s tempo “scales accordingly”. He even teased that we will be seeing these bigger maps “soon enough,” which is great news for anyone who loves the massive scale that the Battlefield series is known for. It seems like the developers are listening, even if it took a bit of public outcry to get a response.
The first beta weekend included three maps: Siege of Cairo, Iberian Offensive, and Liberation Peak. As for the second beta weekend, they added a new map called Empire State, which takes the fight to the streets, alleys, and rooftops of Brooklyn, New York. While this new map is probably not going to solve any of the map size concerns, it’s good to know that the full game will launch with five brand-new maps on top of the ones we’ve already seen.
Hopefully, these new maps will provide a bit more room to breathe and live up to the promise of larger-scale battles that Battlefield fans have come to expect. The second beta is already happening and will last until Monday, August 18, and the full game launches on October 10 for PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC. So, there’s still a chance to get a feel for the game before it officially releases.
The New Maps Are Coming With Better Matchmaking
The developers also mentioned that their matchmaking system will prioritize “ping and time to game over skill”. This means you’re more likely to be matched with players who have a good connection and can get you into a game quickly, rather than a perfectly balanced match based on your skill level.
This is a move that could lead to some pretty lopsided matches, but also means less time waiting in a lobby, which is always a plus. It’s a trade-off, to be sure, but one that many players might be willing to make if it means jumping into the action faster.
Source: David Sirland/X
