Long-rumored news about the confirmation of the next Battlefield title, long speculated to be “Battlefield 6,” could come with a major addition to its multiplayer element: a battle royale mode. Recent datamines for Battlefield Labs have allegedly discovered hints that confirm such a mode is in the works, a decision that could drastically redefine the competitive side of the franchise.
The alleged leaks suggest that this new battle royale experience will borrow some elements from some pillars of the genre, the first of which is Activision’s extremely popular Call of Duty: Warzone. That being said, datamined teasers also suggest some features looking to make Battlefield’s entry stand out. These are an alleged “Oversight System,” though its exact mechanisms are not readily apparent at this point. This implies a possible innovative method by which players engage with the game world or perhaps a special spectator or admin persona.
Additionally, leaks suggest vehicle keycards and defend-the-vehicle play. Assuming that this is the case, these elements would heavily draw on Battlefield’s established strengths, with its focus on big-scale vehicular combat and tactical team play being chief among them. These types of elements would bring a different spin to the battle royale genre, forgoing the normal on-foot combat in favor of more tactical methods of getting the most out of the large environments of the game and its varied vehicle arsenal.
The possibility of adding a battle royale mode is a big strategic step for the Battlefield franchise. Although other games in the series have tried other multiplayer ideologies, a standalone battle royale would make the franchise compete directly with the heavy hitters. Success would rely on Dice’s innovating within a market that’s already crowded but still maintaining those core gameplay ideologies that have kept Battlefield relevant in the gaming community for so long. While the gaming world is waiting with bated breath for the official confirmation, these datamined facts provide a glimpse of what the future of the Battlefield series could be, pointing towards a completely new direction for its next iteration.
