Secrets of destruction: the DICE button in Battlefield 6

Destruction has always been a trademark of the Battlefield series, but DICE Studios has revealed a new secret about how the team behind Battlefield 6 approaches the mechanics. In an interview, the developers confirmed they have an internal tool that allows them to instantly blow up an entire map, not just for fun, but for a crucial design purpose.

The tool, described as a "big red button," is built into the Frostbite Engine game engine. It enables developers to create a situation of total chaos with a single click. Battlefield 6 producer Jeremy Chubb and design director Shashank Uchil explained that this tool is key to the map quality assurance process. However, not everyone on the team welcomes the button.

"It usually causes major breakdowns in the teams working on performance because we design the maps to not be triggered instantly, like every instance of destruction."

The true purpose of the tool goes beyond simulating a "total collapse" event. DICE uses it to test a design concept that considers each map in "three different states." The first state is the "pristine phase," where the map is in its original form. The second is the "intermediate phase," where progressive destruction occurs throughout the match. And finally, the third state is the "final phase," where destruction reaches its peak.

"Think of the map as having three different states, right. The map starts in a pristine state, or as it should be at the beginning. And then, as the map progresses, it gets more and more destroyed. And towards the end, if everyone is using a rocket launcher or C4, you hit the peak of destruction. And as I said, the game has to be good in all three phases, the pristine phase, the intermediate phase, and the final phase."

This design approach allows the DICE team to analyze if the map maintains fluidity and balance even after massive destruction. The button allows testing if there is still enough cover after walls have been demolished and if the map layout remains fun and functional for gameplay. This process ensures that destruction is not just a visual effect, but a gameplay mechanic that continues to influence the flow of the match.

The revelation also serves as a reminder of the complexities of developing a game like Battlefield 6. The DICE team had previously commented that adding maps from old, fan-favorite games is "much more complicated than people think," largely due to players' "expectations" and the need to adapt modern mechanics to classic design.

The DICE "destruction button" is a window into the studio's ingenuity and dedication to creating gameplay that is dynamic and consistent, regardless of the map state. This development tool highlights the importance of pushing the limits of a gameplay mechanic to ensure it is not only spectacular but also fundamental to the gaming experience.