EA Pushes Intensive Playtests to Ensure Successful Battlefield 6 Launch, But Xbox’s Biggest RPG Proves Playtests Can’t Save Mediocre Content

It looks like Electronic Arts (EA) is leaving no stone unturned to make sure that Battlefield 6 doesn’t have to face the same problems as its predecessors. After the disastrous launch of Battlefield 2042, the studio is conducting the most extensive playtests in franchise history. But will it be enough?

Bethesda’s Starfield has shown us that even playtests and a bug-free launch cannot save a game if it’s inherently bad. EA’s renewed focus on player feedback may be promising, but success depends on delivering more than a polished product. Players don’t want promises, they just want a good game.

Battlefield 6 Can Playtest All It Wants, Fans Don’t Buy It

The launch of Battlefield 2042 in 2021 was a lesson in how not to introduce a AAA game. Especially not one that had multiplayer as a main focus. The game launched with technical issues, unplayable servers, and polarizing design choices which made it quickly become one of the worst-reviewed titles on Steam.

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EA seems determined not to repeat history. According to a new report via Insider Gaming, Battlefield 6 is going through the “biggest playtests” in the franchise’s history.

By involving players early in the development process, EA hopes to bring players into the loop early to find and fix any problems that can be found.

This player-first approach is a promising idea, but success is not guaranteed. The stakes for Battlefield 6 are too high now. Set to release in 2025, the game is set to return to the series’ roots with a modern military setting, 64-player battles, and classic destructible environments.

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Head of Respawn and EA Studios, Vince Zampella, spoke about this “back-to-basics” philosophy and compared the upcoming title to fan-favorite entries like Battlefield 3 and Battlefield 4.

By putting the focus back on what made the franchise great, EA wants to regain the community’s faith after these rough couple of years.

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But there are already examples in the gaming industry’s history that show that just good intentions aren’t good enough. A bug-free and smooth launch doesn’t ensure the success of a game if the game itself isn’t good.

A Bug-free Game Does Not Instantly Equal to a Good Game

Starfield is the best example of this. Bethesda’s highly anticipated space RPG launched with minimal technical issues, thanks in part to the playtesting. But the game itself struggled to find favor among players. Fans criticized its underwhelming storylines, uninspired characters, and repetitive gameplay.

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Positioned as one of Bethesda’s “Big Three” IPs alongside Elder Scrolls and Fallout, it was expected to deliver the same level of enduring appeal. But all it did was leave players disappointed.

Starfield will have no legacy

Compared to most Bethesda productions they improve on at least some elements

Starfield is a step back in every sense of the word, it makes Morrowind look like a next gen game pic.twitter.com/q8AAzRJx3S

— Rock solid (@ShitpostRock) April 26, 2024

Battlefield 6‘s main challenge will be to find success in an increasingly competitive market. The FPS genre is crowded. The Call of Duty franchise just regained its footing with Black Ops 6.

To succeed, Battlefield 6 will need more than just a polished launch, so it must offer a unique and engaging experience. Now whether that comes in the form of a return to what franchise fans love, or something else entirely doesn’t matter.

The ongoing playtests are a step in the right direction, showcasing a willingness to listen to the community and adapt accordingly. But the bigger challenge will be to actually be a good game.

Do you think this approach can save the Battlefield franchise? Let us know in the comments!