Battlefield 6: Gameplay leak sparks heated debate over Battle Royale mode

Two leaked videos on Reddit offered a glimpse into Battlefield 6’s Battle Royale mode. (Image source: Epic Game Store)A major leak is making waves in the Battlefield community: around 15 minutes of gameplay from Battlefield 6’s upcoming Battle Royale mode recently surfaced on Reddit. The footage, taken from the Battlefield Labs test environment, has since been removed but continues to fuel discussion among fans.

The first clip features around twelve minutes of gameplay with a strong focus on vehicles. A tank and a boat are shown in action, but it was the water physics that really caught Reddit’s attention. The dynamic, physically simulated waves reminded many players of the naval mechanics in Battlefield 4, sparking speculation about naval combat on future Battlefield 6 maps.

The second video, much shorter at around three minutes, shows the start of a match, beginning with the genre-typical drop – this time from a Chinook helicopter. The squad automatically follows the leader during the descent, though players can break away and land on their own. One detail that stood out was the colored smoke trails left behind by each character during the jump.

Community reactions divided
Reactions to the first video have been mostly positive, particularly regarding the inclusion of vehicles, which many see as a refreshing change from the typically infantry-focused battle royale formula. The return of realistic wave physics also struck a nostalgic chord with longtime Battlefield 4 fans. Not all feedback was glowing, though – some players criticized the auto-spotting system, already known from the Battlefield 6 beta, which automatically marks enemies. Many are now calling for a return to the classic manual spotting system, at least for the Battle Royale mode.

The second video drew a more critical response from the community. While some players appreciated the squad cohesion during the drop, many took issue with the colorful smoke trails, interpreting them as a sign of potential microtransactions. The parachute mechanics also came under fire, with some describing them as clunky and unrealistic. Growing concern among fans suggests the mode may be leaning too heavily into Call of Duty: Warzone territory, raising fears that Battlefield could struggle to carve out its own identity within the battle royale space.

The leaked videos come from the first player-accessible test phase of the new Battle Royale mode, and it remains unclear how closely this early footage will match the final release. Still, the mode has already sparked intense debate within the community. Some see it as an opportunity to bring fresh ideas to the genre and attract players from rival titles, while others fear it could divide the player base and blur Battlefield’s identity. The Battle Royale mode is scheduled to launch as a free expansion shortly after the release of Battlefield 6 on October 10, 2025.

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As a child in the 90s, my Gameboy was my steady companion. After school, the PlayStation was fired up. When I finally got my first PC, I was completely hooked. My passion for gaming has never waned since. For me, writing for Notebookcheck means reporting on topics that are really close to my heart – in addition to gaming, I also like to write about e-mobility, photovoltaics and innovative gadgets. When I’m not sitting at my computer, I’m probably on water rescue duty on the Baltic coast or trying to counteract the downsides of my geek life – namely sitting for long periods – at the local swimming pool.

Marius Müller, 2025-09-15 (Update: 2025-09-15)