Gab Hernandez 
Insiders have leaked details on Battlefield 6 and signs point it pleasing free-to-play gamers and battle royale fans.
The Battlefield franchise is in a bizarre state at the moment. While Call of Duty continues its dominance of modern military shooters, Battlefield has long given up attempts to overthrow it. Battlefield 2042 was an attempt to bring the franchise in a new direction, and it did work out.
However, recent reports suggest that the Battlefield franchise will take a “back-to-basics” approach with its upcoming game. Although the details remain hazy, enough new features teased could potentially make Battlefield a contender in the multiplayer FPS scene once more.
Will Battlefield 6 be a free-to-play Battle Royale?
Battlefield 6 will reportedly have a free-to-play Battle Royale tie-in game, similar to Call of Duty: Warzone.
Insider Gaming reports that Battlefield 6 will feature a free-to-play battle royale tie-in with its premium release. Given the massive success of battle royale first-person shooters, FPS fans would welcome a Battlefield version with its sprawling maps and class-based gunplay. Notably, Ripple Effect will work on the battle royale, not DICE, implying separate development cycles.
Vince Zampella, head of Respawn Entertainment, will reportedly spearhead the new Battlefield project. DICE will still serve as the main development studio. Opting for a free-to-play battle royale in one of the most beloved military shooter franchises is certainly one of the safest steps to take.
However, some fans worry that the battle royale mode will be left to die, like so many other features DICE has done in the past. From Battlefield 5’s Firestorm to Battlefield 2042’s Portal, there’s no shortage of abandoned concepts in DICE’s library.
Battlefield 2042 set to shut down in 2025
Regardless of what’s to come with Battlefield 6 and any potential free-to-play battle royale sister title, Battlefield 2042 is wrapping up. EA announced on its website that Battlefield 2042 will wrap up its final season in June 2025. That makes it clear that the next game is on its way.
Battlefield 2024 launched to mixed reviews, sitting below 70% on multiple aggregators. The game was criticized for attempting to copy elements of other FPS titles, particularly Call of Duty and Warzone, while still holding onto its foundational elements. Many reviews say this made for a clumsy, uneven experience. Performance issues at launch didn’t help this.
Fans hope the back-to-basics approach reinvigorates the franchise.
