EA DICE has admitted that the progression system in Battlefield 6 'needed a rework' after launch, as player numbers continue to decline. Lead producer Alexia Christofi acknowledged the misstep, stating that players disliked being forced into specific modes for challenges.
Battlefield 6 launched in October 2025 to positive reviews, particularly from fans of Battlefield 3 and 4, but the live service progression system drew criticism for requiring excessive XP grinding. Christofi, speaking at DICE’s 2026 conference, said the team has since changed its ethos regarding challenges and progression for future seasons.
The issue resurfaced with Season 1 and the free-to-play REDSEC Battle Royale mode, where weekly challenges were tied to paying accounts. DICE introduced a weekly quest re-roll system to let players swap out five challenges if they disliked the required mode.
Despite these changes, Battlefield 6 has lost a significant portion of its playerbase. Steam data shows an average daily peak of 68,000 players, far below the 650,000+ peak at launch. Season 2 in February caused a temporary spike, but numbers remain low.
With competition from Overwatch’s resurgence and Bungie’s Marathon, Battlefield 6 faces an uphill battle. A remake of Battlefield 4’s Golmud Railway is in development, but the game’s long-term viability remains uncertain.
