As EA continues to host Battlefield 6 test sessions through Battlefield Labs, more information and details about the game are starting to become unearthed via datamined game files. Last week, more than 20 concept art images were discovered through datamining, revealing plans for the previously rumored battle royale game mode.
We first got word of a battle royale game mode back in February, with Insider-Gaming reporting that it will be developed by Ripple Effect. It will reportedly be free-to-play — similar to Call of Duty: Warzone — with the hope that tying it into the main Battlefield 6 game through things like cross progression and customization will convert players into premium purchases of the full game.
The datamine provides more details about the battle royale mode. Matches will offer the typical solo, duo, trio, and squad queues, while features include an armor system, call-ins, loot rarity, update kits and weapons, and a shrinking zone that eventually forces players into a small area toward the end of the match.
Battle royale isn't necessarily new to the Battlefield franchise. Both Battlefield 5 and Battlefield 2042 offered it as a game mode, but it never really resonated with players. The main difference this time around, though, is it won't be locked by a premium purchase of Battlefield 6. Instead, the goal is to hopefully convert players of the free-to-play battle royale into purchasing Battlefield 6.
It's a strategy similar to Call of Duty: Warzone, which makes sense since it's believed to be a decision made by Byron Beede, the new General Manager of the franchise who had previously been leading Call of Duty's live service team.
It's a seemingly smart strategy, although it comes at a time when battle royale games have sort of fallen by the wayside. While Fortnite remains as popular as ever, other battle royale games have failed to generate the same excitement or popularity. Even Call of Duty: Warzone has seen a massive drop in players, with rumors that it could be shut down if it doesn't see a resurgence soon.
It's too early to really gauge the interest in a new Battlefield game's battle royale mode, as we don't really know much about it. In fact, we don't know much about this new Battlefield game either.
EA has only referred to the upcoming game as "Battlefield," although the general gaming community colloquially refers to it as Battlefield 6. Anything we think we know about the game has been revealed through Battlefield Labs blogs, datamining, or leaks. EA has only stated that it expects to release the new game by March 2026.