Oh Thank God, The Battlefield 6 Open Beta Is Back
Beta Return: Dates & Accessibility
The Battlefield 6 Open Beta is making its grand return for a second and final weekend—from August 14, starting at 4 a.m. EDT, through August 17, ending at 4 a.m. PDT—on all platforms, and no access codes required this round. Anyone can jump in and experience the beta.
Fresh Content & New Map
This weekend introduces a brand-new map, Empire State, set in New York City. Additionally, new game modes such as Rush and Squad Deathmatch have been added, alongside updated playlist options.
Custom Search Replaces Server Browser
While there’s still no traditional server browser, EA has introduced a feature called Custom Search. This allows players to prioritize their ideal mode-map combinations in matchmaking—for instance, “Conquest on Siege of Cairo.”
Technical Hiccups & Performance Issues
Some players have encountered issues this weekend:
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Matchmaking instability in certain playlists
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DLSS and DLAA upscaling disabled on PC (EA is working to restore them today)
Despite these, the beta has attracted massive attention—surpassing 300,000 concurrent Steam players, with projections to exceed half a million.
Anti-Cheat Efforts in Motion
EA’s anti-cheat system (Javelin with Secure Boot) has already blocked over 330,000 cheating attempts. While it’s not a foolproof solution, the sheer number of threats indicates its effectiveness.
Mode Feedback: Rush Under Fire
The return of Rush mode—now at a smaller 12v12 player count—has drawn criticism. Many players feel the tighter format leads to repetitive, close-quarters “shotgun-fest” gameplay, missing the broader, strategic scale of previous titles.
Beta Timeline Recap
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Weekend 1: August 9–10 (Early Access began August 7–8 via codes or preorders)
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Weekend 2: August 14–17 — this public, final beta opportunity
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Full Game Launch: Scheduled for October 10, 2025 across PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S
Quick Overview Table
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Beta Dates | August 14 04:00 a.m. EDT – August 17 04:00 a.m. PDT |
| New Map | Empire State (New York City) |
| New Modes | Rush, Squad Deathmatch |
| Matchmaking Tool | Custom Search (not a full server browser) |
| Problems Reported | DLSS/DLAA disabled, matchmaking bugs |
| Player Activity | Over 300K concurrent players on Steam; expectations of 500K+ |
| Anti-Cheat | 330K+ blocks by Javelin/Secure Boot system |
| Community Critique | Rush mode seen as too small-scale and repetitive |
| Launch Date | October 10, 2025 (PC, PS5, Xbox Series X |