The second open beta weekend for Battlefield 6 is underway, adding the return of Rush along with Squad Deathmatch and a fourth map called Empire State, set in Brooklyn. The test runs from August 14 through August 17, giving players another slice of the game before its official launch on October 10, 2025.
During the opening beta, Battlefield 6 drew massive numbers. The first open beta period peaked at over 521,000 players on Steam, a figure that outpaced Call of Duty’s all-time peak at the time. The hype was reflected on Twitch as well, with more than 856,000 viewers during that initial run. By Friday morning of the second weekend, around 322,000 players were active on Steam, with that count expected to grow as more players jump in.
Rush, a Battlefield staple, has sparked a lively debate within the community. The mode, which tasks one team with arming and destroying sequential objectives while the other defends, returns in a 12v12 format on all platforms. Some players welcomed Rush back as a core Battlefield experience, while others argued that the implementation leans too far toward Call of Duty-style pacing and loses some of Battlefield’s traditional DNA. The discussion spilled onto Reddit and X, with conversations ranging from criticisms about map design and pacing to defenses that the mode still captures the franchise’s chaotic energy.
In response to early feedback, the Battlefield 6 team adjusted some mechanics on August 15. M-COM timers were shortened from 45 seconds to 30 seconds, giving defenders less time to react, and defender respawns were stabilized at 12 seconds (instead of a variable 6–12 seconds). It’s still early, but these tweaks aim to balance the pace and ensure teams have meaningful opportunities to react.
Meanwhile, players are weighing how Battlefield 6 stacks up against the series’ legacy. Threads on the official Battlefield subreddit reflect a divide: some fans worry that the game has moved away from the slower, strategic identity fans associate with the series, while others argue that Battlefield has never been purely slow and that the chaos remains a defining hallmark. The writer, a long-time Battlefield player, is finding the open beta enjoyable and believes the title still feels like Battlefield—delivering loud, squad-focused chaos with strong sound design and accessible combat that doesn’t demand hyper-fast reflexes to rack up kills.
As Battlefield 6 continues through its beta period, there are five more maps promised for launch, and the core experience aims to emphasize squad tactics, team play, and chaotic battlefield moments. The open beta is serving as a stress test and a taste of what’s to come, with final judgments saved for the full release.
Summary and outlook
The second open beta for Battlefield 6 reinforces the game’s ambition: deliver explosive, chaotic warfare with a modern twist on classic modes like Rush. While opinion on Rush’s exact execution is mixed, the overall sentiment among some players and the writer is that Battlefield 6 remains true to its roots in a dynamic, team-focused battlefield experience. If the launch builds on the beta’s momentum and refines the remaining balance and map design, Battlefield 6 could become a go-to title for fans seeking large-scale, squad-driven carnage with a polished soundscape and satisfying battlefield moments.
Additional note
If you’re evaluating whether to jump into the beta, keep an eye on balance tweaks and the full map lineup as DICE rounds out the release plan. The open beta is a strong tease of what Battlefield fans crave: chaotic, cooperative combat with a sprinkle of Battlefield’s signature flair.