After breaking player count records and achieving a huge boost in pre-order sales, it’s fair to say that the Battlefield 6 open beta was a huge success on PlayStation, Xbox and PC.
Not only were fans blown away by the series’ customary chaotic battles and moment-to-moment gameplay, but things like the movement system were praised by fans of the first-person shooter.
Despite the positive feedback, however, the Battlefield 6 development team has decided to rebalance the game ahead of launch, something that hasn’t been well received by all fans.
Indeed, in a recent community update based on feedback from the beta, Battlefield 6 developer DICE has announced plans to tweak the game ahead of launch.
According to a post on X, the developers will update the movement system to make it slightly slower and more methodical for launch.
This includes reducing the momentum gained by sliding into jumps, and adding a penalty for players using consecutive jumps.
Likewise, firing while jumping or sliding will also result in decreased accuracy, which will reward more skilful players.
Battlefield Studios explains more: “Movement mechanics have been adjusted to create a more balanced and traditional Battlefield experience.
“Momentum, especially horizontal speed, carried from a slide into a jump has been reduced. There is now a greater penalty for consecutive jumps, which lowers jump height when jumps are spammed. Firing while jumping or sliding will result in increased inaccuracy.
“These changes are designed to make sliding and jumping more situational, so they are no longer ideal options for engaging in gunfights, and will contribute to a gameplay pace that rewards skillful movement without becoming too fast or unpredictable.”
With the movement system receiving praise from many beta participants, the announcement hasn’t been well received by fans.
One social media user called the update “disappointing”, while another argued that the system was fine and didn’t need to be changed.
Another writes: “So you took a overwhelming positive review experience from your beta, ignored it, and changed it for the 10% of the player base above the age of 35 that can’t aim?”
Of course, some people are in favour of the changes, arguing that the beta felt more like Call of Duty and not a proper Battlefield experience.
Other changes will be made to weapons, maps, modes and even playlist options based on the beta.
For example, Battlefield Studios will make gunplay “more consistent and rewarding” by tweaking things like recoil and tap-fire characteristics across all weapons. Elsewhere, the M87A1 shotgun will require more pellets to secure a kill, while the Time-to-Kill and Time-to-Death experience will be investigated ahead of launch.
Understandably, Battlefield Studios will adjust some of the maps to stop players reaching out of bounds areas, and will also add larger maps for the game’s launch.
Interestingly, the studio will lower the player count on Rush to improve the flow of combat and make the objectives more tangible.
Finally, the developer will continue to experiment with player counts and playlist options to ensure players are always able to find the right matches.