According to sources at Ars Technica, the new Battlefield game is being developed under serious difficulties. Originally designed for just 6 hours of playtime, development of the story mode campaign has already gone through several reboots. The Ridgeline studio responsible for the campaign has left the project, and work on the story mode is currently split between DICE, Criterion and Motive. As of early 2025, the campaign remains the only aspect of the game that has not even reached the alpha testing stage yet.
Why is the Battlefield 6 Campaign Delayed?
The main reason for the delays in Battlefield 6’s story mode appears to be organizational problems and studio changes during the development process. The departure of the Ridgeline studio from the project and the division of the task among different studios may have led to a lack of coordination and decreased productivity. This can lead to inconsistencies in storytelling and incompatibilities in game mechanics.
How Do Changes in EA's Approach Affect the Development Process?
The situation is further exacerbated by changes in EA's approach to development management. While previously DICE's European unit had relative freedom in planning, now the company's American management focuses more on financial indicators and release dates than on the quality of the product. Constant pressure from management leaves developers unable to fully implement creative ideas. This may prevent the game from being innovative and original, and may not meet the expectations of potential players.
EA's Expectations from Battlefield 6 Are Very High
Despite its internal problems, EA has high hopes for Battlefield 6 and plans to attract more than 100 million players, many times more than the audience of the previous games of the series. The budget of the project has already exceeded the planned $400 million. In preparation for the launch, the company has launched a testing program to evaluate new multiplayer modes, including the return of the class system and a free ’royale“ mode. However, many developers doubt that the game can achieve its planned success rates under current conditions.
What Can Battlefield 6 Players Expect?
Despite all these problems, Battlefield 6 is expected to offer players a next-generation combat experience. The developers’ goal is to offer both an immersive single-player experience with the story mode and to create a competitive and entertaining environment with multiplayer modes. The return of the class system will allow players to experience different roles and develop strategies based on teamwork. The free “royale” mode will appeal to a wide range of players and increase the longevity of the game.
The Future of Battlefield 6 Remains Uncertain
Problems in the development process of Battlefield 6 increase the uncertainty about the future of the game. EA's high expectations and financial pressure can restrict developers’ creativity and reduce the quality of the game. However, the deep-rooted history of the Battlefield series and its loyal player base preserve the game's potential to be successful. While players' expectations are rising, it remains a matter of curiosity whether EA will be able to overcome these problems and meet the expectations. As the game's release date approaches, progress and possible changes in the development process will be closely monitored.
