As the release of Battlefield 6 approaches, discussions have intensified within the fan community regarding new features and modifications. Following early tests that introduced “open” classes allowing weapon sharing, many players expressed a desire for a return to the “locked” class system seen in previous installments. In a recent interview, the developer clarified their approach and assured that game modes supporting both class types would be available.
Historically, Battlefield titles were defined by classes possessing distinct weapon loadouts, alongside unique abilities and equipment. This system, particularly cherished by fans of Bad Company games or Battlefield 3 and 4, provided a unique identity compared to other first-person shooter franchises. However, recent games have seen a shift away from this model, and Battlefield 6 will feature fully open classes, at least in specific game modes.
Matthew Nickerson, Ripple Effect`s console combat designer, indicated in an interview that the developers aim for maximum flexibility concerning class structure. Their strategy is to offer various options within Battlefield 6`s Portal and other modes, thereby establishing a framework where players can freely choose their preferred gameplay experience.
Nickerson stated, “We genuinely don`t want to dictate or restrict how you choose to play Battlefield. We are indeed supporting both open and closed weapon sets in Portal and across different game modes… Our core philosophy for Battlefield 6 is, `Play Battlefield your way,` which means we are ensuring both open and closed systems are supported. We simply prefer not to make that decision for the player.”
It is noteworthy that during the open beta, only one mode featured locked classes, and it was somewhat obscured. We will likely need to await the full release to fully assess the implementation and the extent of support for both gameplay styles. Meanwhile, details about the game`s single-player mode might be revealed at Tokyo Game Show later this month. Battlefield 6 is set to launch on October 10 for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.