Battlefield 6 release date, trailer, news and rumors

Battlefield 6, as we think it will be called, is currently deep into development with an official reveal due to take place on June 9, 2021. We expect to see it arrive on console and PC later this year, though a release date hasn’t been confirmed outside of the “Holiday 2021” window.

Developed by EA Dice, Battlefield 6 is still something of a mystery but EA has wasted no time in teasing big things. EA CEO Andrew Wilson has expressed hopes that the power of the PS5 and Xbox Series X consoles will “bring massive and immersive battles to life with more players than ever”, mentioned maps “with unprecedented scale” and said that “the next vision of Battlefield takes all the destruction, player agency, and vehicle and weapon combat that the franchise is known for and elevates it to another level.”

Add to that the rumors that the game could feature 128-player maps, a Battle Royale mode and extreme weather conditions and we think there’s plenty to be interested in.

With EA DICE confirming the new Battlefield will be revealed next week, it won’t be long until we see more from Battlefield 6 and perhaps get a more solid release date. In the meantime, we’ve gathered together all the latest news and rumors around Battlefield 6 so keep reading if you want to find out more.

Battlefield 6: what you need to know

• What is it? The next installment in the Battlefield game series 
• When can I play it? “Holiday 2021” (between October and December)
• What can I play it on? PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One and PC 

Battlefield 6 release date and platforms

Battlefield 6 is due to release “Holiday 2021” for PS5, Xbox Series X and PC. This release window was confirmed by EA CEO Andrew Wilson in an earnings call in November 2020.

“The next Battlefield is set to launch in holiday 2021, and we are excited to share a lot more about the game in the spring,” Wilson said during the call. That means we can expect the game to release between October and December this year. EA DICE has confirmed that a Battlefield 6 reveal will take place on June 9.

Battlefield 6 trailers

While EA Dice hasn’t released any Battlefield 6 trailers yet, the upcoming Battlefield was featured in a tech trailer during EA Play 2020. We only caught a glimpse of some “work in progress” footage, which showed facial animations and a large number of soldiers running into battle.

From the brief glimpses we’ve seen, it looks like facial animations will be more realistic than previously and that we’re going to see battlefields getting even larger this time round – potentially with more players (as rumored).

“We are creating epic battles at a scale and fidelity unlike anything you’ve experienced before”, EA’s chief studios officer Laura Miele said during the video. It may not be much to go on, but it suggests Dice plans to utilize the power of the new consoles to its utmost. Check it out for yourself below, at the 44 minute mark:

Battlefield 6 news and rumors

We’ve rounded up all the latest news and rumors surround Battlefield 6, below:

Gameplay images leak ahead of June reveal
Screenshots reported to be from Battlefield 6 have leaked online, just ahead of the game’s planned June 9 reveal. 

There are four images in total, all posted by the Twitter account Battlefield News and uploaded to Imgur as well. The images show a city scape, a ground-based view of a helicopter and player-view of a tank and aircraft in use. They also give a look at the game’s UI, with the mini-map, party lists and equipment lists appearing in three of the four screenshots.

According to Battlefield News (via GamesRadar), the images were taken from a recent “game test“ and one of the images is marked as being “pre-alpha footage”. While there isn’t any confirmed source for the images and it’s always best to take these things with a pinch of salt, established Battlefield leaker Tom Henderson has tweeted to claim “they are real”.

EA recruits Call of Duty exec
EA has recruited a former Call of Duty exec to help grow the Battlefield series. The company recently announced it has hired former Call of Duty General Manager, Byron Beede, as the General Manager and Senior Vice President on the Battlefield (via IGN). With EA saying that the hire “signals a strategic, long-term commitment to the growth of the franchise”.

But it’s Beede’s experience that is most interesting. Beede has previously been the General Manager of both the Call of Duty and Destiny franchises, most notably worked on the launch of Call of Duty’s live service offering, Call of Duty Mobile and Call of Duty: Warzone. 

While Beede is set to focus primarily on the future of the Battlefield franchise, his knowledge of live service games will likely be a huge boon to Battlefield 6. 

Battlefield 6 reveal
EA has confirmed that Battlefield 6 will be revealed on June 9 at 7am PT / 3pm BST / 10am ET (or June 10 at 12am AEST).

Battlefield 6 trailer recreated using leaked screenshots?
A user has posted an album on Imgur that arranges a ton of new screengrabs that show what is supposedly Battlefield 6’s reveal trailer in action. 

While it’s hard to see exactly what’s being shown due to the black bars that accompany each picture, presumably to cover up a watermark, it still gives us a good indication of what the game might look like.

Leaked screenshots allude to modern warfare setting
Battlefield 6 screenshots that could potentially be from the upcoming reveal trailer have surfaced online via leaker Tom Henderson’s Discord channel. As reported by VideoCardz, the images depict several contemporary inventions like gigantic rockets, dog-like four-legged robots and a high-tech jet fighter’s cockpit.

While the images have been completed by a machine learning algorithm (the originals feature large black bars that cover up substantial portions of the image), they give us a decent idea at what we can expect from Battlefield 6’s reveal trailer.

Battlefield 6 could be more of a “live service” game
EA CEO Andrew Wilson says that the company already has a plan in mind for Battlefield 6, and that it will launch as a “AAA premium experience” but grow bigger over time with live service elements to ensure the game gets “long-term engagement”.

Speaking at EA’s full-year earnings call, Wilson said: “We do have a blueprint, which is how do we start with our AAA premium experience that is truly innovative in its category, how do we build out live service for long-term engagement and then how do we think about modalities at play and business models to further extend our reach and penetration of that game on a global basis across platforms, across geographies, across business models.”

It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Battlefield 6 receive regular content updates. Battle passes and seasons have kept players engaged to games like Call of Duty: Warzone and Fortnite, so we’d be surprised if EA didn’t implement something similar for the next Battlefield game. 

EA Dev asks for understanding as fans grow impatient
EA’s communication director for shooter games, Andy McNamara, has asked Battlefield fans to be patient, as numerous people have apparently asked for him to be sacked over the game’s drawn-out reveal.

McNamara said: “If I read my tweets, I believe a number of Battlefield fans are calling that I get sacked already. I understand your frustration, but I can tell you I’m killing myself to deliver something I think you’ll love when the time is right. Patience please.”

McNamara said the entire team was working hard, and that just because the game will also release on last-gen consoles doesn’t mean it won’t impress on PS5 and Xbox Series X. 

Battlefield 6 will release on PS4 and Xbox One
After much speculation, EA has confirmed that Battlefield 6 will release on last-gen consoles, despite some believing the game would be exclusive to PS5, Xbox Series X and PC.

During the company’s full-year earnings call (thanks, VGC), EA CEO Andrew Wilson revealed that the game will also hit PS4 and Xbox One, which may disappoint those who were hoping Battlefield 6 would be a true next-gen showcase.

“Battlefield will be available for both current-gen and next-gen as will our sports titles,” Wilson said.

‘Wacky cosmetics’ and a customizable robot dog
In response to someone on Twitter asking if Battlefield 6 will have “stupid cosmetic items” like in Battlefield 5, Battlefield leaker Tom Henderson confirmed that – as far as he knows – the new Battlefield will have “wacky cosmetics”, due to “the nature of the setting”.

However, according to Henderson, the inclusion of these cosmetics “isn’t necessarily a bad thing and is actually pretty cool”. Henderson then attached a link to a video about ballistic helmets, suggesting this could be the type of cosmetics he’s referring to.

These types of cosmetics would make sense given that Henderson previously claimed that the new Battlefield will take place in a modern to near-future setting – around 10 years from now.

In a follow-up reply, Henderson also said that players will have a robot dog, which will be customizable – though he didn’t share the extent to which players can customize the robot or what those cosmetics will look like.

Extreme weather conditions?
Leaker Tom Henderson claims that Battlefield 6 will feature extreme weather conditions and that the game’s first reveal trailer will revolve around a desert island.

Henderson shared a rough sketch of what the game’s new map will look like on Twitter. Previous leakers have suggested one of the new Battlefield 6 maps will take place in Kazakhstan, however, this map appears to be different.

The game’s trailer will also reportedly showcase Battlefield 6’s new extreme weather conditions, including a tornado that will have a big impact on gameplay.

A near-future setting, a possible name and “revolutionary” campaign?
Notable Battlefield leaker Tom Henderson has claimed that the Battlefield 6 (rumored to simply be called ‘Battlefield’), will be “modern/set in the near future”. According to Henderson, the new Battlefield will be set 10 years from now, “which gives the developers a chance to be able to implement weapons and vehicles that are currently in military development today”. 

Henderson claims players should expect military robots, drones, jets, helicopters and tanks, plus a “revolutionary campaign” compared to previous Battlefield games. Henderson claims the campaign will focus on the player and their specialist unit, allowing them to choose which superpower they fight for. 

“In Battlefield, there isn’t necessarily ‘Axis and Allies’ as you will be able to choose your own path,” Henderson’s post reads. “Both the USA and Russia, who are the game’s only standing superpowers, will offer to ‘recruit’ your specialist team and their skills throughout the campaign, which will be a valuable asset to both sides. It would also appear like this year’s campaign is a co-op experience.”

Henderson also claims that the reveal trailer for Battlefield 6 won’t feature gameplay or multiplayer, but that multiplayer will “feature bigger and better battles and is described as “Battlefield ¾ on steroids”. 

Henderson also claims Battlefield Battle Royale is in the works (something he has claimed previously), separate from Battlefield 5’s Firestorm. 

“The Battle Royale experience will be completely disconnected from the Firestorm name and instead will adopt a new name, probably for obvious reasons,” Henderson wrote. “Players will still be able to play as the four different types of soldiers, but instead of just having unique gadgets, players will also have different ‘abilities’, which are similar to Call of Duty perks. For example a Scout soldier might have silent footsteps, whereas an Assault soldier might be able to sprint for a longer duration.”

It’s a lot to digest and definitely should be taken with a big pinch of salt. 

Battlefield 6 coming to Xbox Game Pass on day one?
Battlefield 6 is rumored to be coming to Xbox Game Pass, following comments made on the Xbox Era podcast that a “certain third party, AAA first-person shooter that is highly likely to be launching in Game Pass this Fall”. While “Battlefield 6” isn’t explicitly said, it has led to speculation that this could be the title that’s being spoken about – especially given that notable Battlefield leaker Tom Henderson responded to the post with a nodding head gif.

It’s possible that another AAA game is being referred to rather than Battlefield, especially given that Back 4 Blood is due to release on October 12, 21 and would fit this description. EA hasn’t confirmed a release date for Battlefield 6 or whether it will be landing on Xbox Game Pass. TechRadar has asked EA for comment on this rumor.

Teasing the game’s location?
At the moment, we don’t know much about Battlefield 6 but some fans think EA has been teasing its setting and they think it might be Kazakhstan.

According to Battlefield YouTuber DANNYonPC (via GamesRadar), the location’s teaser can be found in two places: on the nose of a 3D-rendered character model shown during the EA Play 2020 Battlefield tech demo and then again on the medallion of a legendary Battlefield 5 outfit that can only be unlocked by completing a secret challenge. Apparently, when the numbers found in these locations are translated into GPS coordinates, it gives locations in Kazakhstan. 

EA itself hasn’t revealed the setting for Battlefield 6, so we won’t know for sure until some kind of official announcement is made but this is a pretty good sign that fans are ready for that Spring reveal. 

Need for Speed developer is helping with development
Need for Speed developer Criterion has been enlisted to support EA DICE with the development of Battlefield 6. The game apparently suffered setbacks due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but appears to still be on track for a late 2021 release.

It’s not all good news, however, as Criterion jumping on Battlefield 6 means they aren’t able to work on the next Need for Speed project. As such, the next Need for Speed has been pushed back into 2022.

In a statement to Polygon, EA chief studios officer Laura Miele explained that development on Battlefield 6 is going smoothly: “the team has been working incredibly hard, they pushed hard last year, and yes, we have been working from home, […] And it’s hard; it’s hard to make games from home, and the [EA DICE] team is fatigued a bit.”

“We have a great game and some incredible potential with this game. We’re playing to win; we’re playing to put a great Battlefield game out in the market,” Miele added.

It could be cross-gen, feature 128-player maps and include battle royale
Firm details on Battlefield 6 may be thin on the ground, but a report by leaker TheLongSensation (AKA Tom Henderson) may give us some idea of what to expect from the next Battlefield game.

According to a video (which has now been removed) by Henderson (via VGC), Battlefield 6 will be a “soft reboot” of Battlefield 3, set in the modern era. The new Battlefield is allegedly also set to come to PS4 and Xbox One, in addition to the already-confirmed release on Xbox Series X and PS5.

What’s more, Henderson claims that developer Dice has designed some maps with 128 players in mind – a volume made possible by the power of newest-gen consoles. The leaker claims that while these 128-player maps will be available, his sources have clarified that Battlefield’s 32 v 32 standard game modes (64 players) will still be available, with players having the option to partake in game modes with a higher player count.

Unfortunately, according to Henderson, these 128-player maps won’t be available on last-gen consoles. In addition, PS4 and Xbox One players will also see visual downgrades from the PS5 and Xbox Series X versions, and limited destruction.

Despite this, Henderson claims that his sources have said that there’s a separate part of the studio working on these last-gen versions and players “shouldn’t be worried.”

The leaker also says that EA Dice has had a Battlefield Battle Royale in the works at some stage, with the studio wanting to create their own version of Activision’s successful Call of Duty Warzone. However, it remains unclear as to whether it is still developing this.

It’s always worth taking leaks with a pinch of salt, but Henderson has previously been accurate, with his claim that Battlefield 6 will be set in the modern era corroborated by VentureBeat reporter Jeff Grubb.

Battlefield 3, which apparently is a major influence on Battlefield 6, was set during the fictional War of 2014 – so we’re expecting, if Dice is aiming for a modern era, that we’ll be looking at something a bit more up to date.

The power of the PS5 and Xbox Series X is key to its development
During the November 2020 earnings call, EA CEO Andrew Wilson revealed the power of the new PS5 and Xbox Series X is allowing the team to make the new Battlefield “with never-before-seen scale. 

“The technical advancements of the new consoles are allowing the team to deliver on a true next-gen vision for the franchise,” Wilson said.

Bigger, more immersive battles
In an earnings call, EA CEO Andrew Wilson has revealed that Battlefield 6 will feature maps “with unprecedented scale” and that “the next vision of Battlefield takes all the destruction, player agency, and vehicle and weapon combat that the franchise is known for and elevates it to another level.”

Wilson also reaffirmed that the game will tap into the horsepower of both the PS5 and Xbox Series X, which should “bring massive and immersive battles to life with more players than ever”.

Return to military warfare
While it’s unclear whether Battlefield 6 will opt for a modern or more traditional setting, EA’s Andrew Wilson said that game will “mark a return to all-out military warfare”. This could simply mean bigger battles with more vehicles and onscreen mayhem than ever before, however.

Battlefield 6: what we want to see

Free Battle Royale mode
If Dice is working on a Battlefield Battle Royale in a similar vein to Warzone, then we hope it’s a free standalone game like Warzone. Battlefield 5 included the Firestorm mode which was essentially a battle royale mode, seeing players fighting it out in a play zone surrounded by a ring of fire that gradually grew smaller and smaller. 

The issue with Firestorm was that it was a mode within Battlefield 5, so to play the mode you had to purchase the full Battlefield 5 game. We’re hoping that this time, Dice will offer a free-to-play battle royale mode that can sit separately from the main game, like how Activision has done with Call of Duty: Warzone.

Huge battles
Again, it’s rumored that this will be the case – with 128-player maps rumored – but we hope that comes to fruition. Battlefield’s 32 vs 32 player maps are great and all, but more players would really see these battles become epic.

Crossplay
Battlefield 5 lacked this important feature, meaning that PS4, Xbox One and PC players couldn’t play together. We’re hoping that Battlefield 6 will bring cross-play in, allowing everyone to play together – no matter what platform they’re on.

Plenty of modes at launch
In our Battlefield 5 review, one of our biggest issues was that there weren’t many modes available at launch – including the practice range – making the game feel a bit bare bones. We’re hoping Battlefield 6 addresses this issue and gives us plenty to jump into straight off the bat.

Dolby Atmos
While you can use Dolby Atmos with games that don’t support it, it’s undeniably better when games are developed with Atmos in mind. We feel that Dolby Atmos support for Battlefield 6 on PC and Xbox Series X (PS5 doesn’t support it) would help to immerse us in the action – and sound incredible.

Local co-op
Playing online is great and all, but we would love the option to play Battlefield offline multiplayer, so we can mess around with friends without the interference of online players.