A New Direction for Battlefield 6
EA has made a move that many thought was impossible: they’ve introduced a rational and popular design decision regarding the class system in Battlefield 6. This change comes after a period of concern among fans, who were worried about the direction the game was heading.
Earlier this year, EA faced criticism for a series of dev blogs that outlined how Battlefield 6’s class system would carry over an unpopular change from Battlefield 2042. That change allowed all classes to use any weapon, which many players found confusing and unbalanced. At the time, EA stated, “We envision the future of Battlefield classes to be a series of interconnected systems and fundamentals that shape your role on the field, while granting you the freedom to customize how you execute that role.”
However, today, in a brief post on the official Battlefield account, EA shifted its stance. The message read, “Open Weapons vs Closed Weapons. Why not both? Starting at Open Beta, players can choose official playlists with Signature Weapons locked to class, or not. More to come.” This is a surprising reversal, especially considering that just a week and a half ago, EA reinforced its “weapons free-for-all” philosophy in a follow-up post. However, the earlier article seemed to avoid directly addressing the topic of weapon restrictions, hinting at a potential shift in strategy.
The decision to reintroduce classic Battlefield classes—where your choice of guns is tied to your role—is a positive development for fans who preferred the older style of the game before it began to feel inferior compared to Call of Duty. DICE has been emphasizing that gadgets, such as medkits and rocket launchers, define a class. However, it’s clear that an Engineer holding a sniper rifle doesn’t quite fit the traditional model.
For long-time fans, this change means that we now have the opportunity to support class-exclusive weaponry through our gameplay choices. DICE will likely be keeping a close eye on which playlists—open or closed weapons—are more popular during the upcoming Battlefield 6 open beta. The dates for the beta are still to be announced, but leaks suggest it could start in early August.
The prevailing ruleset chosen during the beta could ultimately determine the final direction of Battlefield 6 when it launches. This shift in approach shows that EA is listening to player feedback and is willing to adapt its design philosophy to better serve the community.
As the release date approaches, it will be interesting to see how this new class system affects the overall experience of the game. For those who miss the traditional structure of Battlefield, this change offers a promising return to the roots of the franchise. Whether this decision leads to a successful launch remains to be seen, but it’s a step in the right direction for many players.
