New playtest of Battlefield 6 starts on May 23rd

Electronic Arts and DICE quietly opened registrations for a new closed Battlefield 6 playtest, set to begin on May 23. The test will last for 72 hours and will focus specifically on server performance and stability tests, as detailed in the developer's official statement.

"This test will be by invitation only and for a limited time," said DICE.
"Our main focus will be to test server performance with a high number of players over a full weekend. During this period, we will have a select group of maps and modes available to play."

The tests are part of the technical evaluations conducted through the Battlefield Labs platform, used internally by the company. Players from North America, Europe, and selected parts of Asia will be able to participate in the experimental server. Those already registered in the EA Playtesting program may have received an invitation, but registrations are open to the general public, although acceptance is not guaranteed.

The playtest will begin at 3am PT / 6am ET / 10am CEST / 11am GMT on Friday, May 23, and will run until the same time on Monday. The goal is to simulate high traffic scenarios, with intensive tests on servers with a large number of simultaneous players. The available content will be limited, but should include classic multiplayer modes and new maps, aligning with the more realistic and militarized proposal that the studio has been suggesting since the early rumors about the project.

The official release of Battlefield 6 has not yet been confirmed, but is expected to occur before March 2026, as already indicated in reports from EA. Expectations are focused on a return to the roots, with a more sober and tactical style, similar to what was seen in Battlefield 3 and Battlefield 4. References to these classic titles are constant, especially after the lukewarm reception of Battlefield 2042, released in 2021 and criticized for its technical issues and inconsistent design.

In recent years, the Battlefield franchise has lost ground to competitors like Call of Duty, Gray Zone Warfare, and the new Delta Force, which have better explored the multiplayer FPS niche with more realistic military settings and superior technical stability. Therefore, DICE needs to regain the players' trust and, more than that, demonstrate that it is still capable of delivering a competitive and relevant shooter.

The playtest of Battlefield 6 may represent the first step in this direction, but its success will depend on both the infrastructure and the content presented.