EA has announced significant updates for Battlefield 6, including a revamped cross-play system aimed at offering a more balanced and fair experience for players.
The new game, set to launch on October 10, 2025, will feature a “preferred input” matchmaking system, which ensures that players using controllers are matched primarily with other controller users, while PC players using a mouse and keyboard will also be grouped together.
Producer Alexia Christofi explained that the system will reduce input-based advantages, with cross-play between console and PC players only happening when necessary to fill lobbies.
Eyy not quite, it’s crossplay on or off – but if crossplay is on we treat it as console preferred crossplay, so we’ll try and matchmake you with others playing on console before falling back to full crossplay if we can’t find you a match with only/mostly console players.
— Alexia Christofi (@Lex_mate) August 2, 2025
This allows the game to maintain quick matchmaking times without sacrificing fairness.
EA has taken note of the issues with Battlefield 2042, where cross-play was fully enabled by default, often leading to unbalanced and frustrating matches/
This time, the developer is treating cross-play as a fallback option, which can be toggled on or off based on the player’s preferences. When regional player counts are low, cross-play will be expanded to ensure matchmaking stability, as reported by GameSpot.
In addition to the cross-play adjustments, Battlefield 6 will address the controversial topic of skill-based matchmaking (SBMM).
Battlefield is introducing “Preferred Crossplay” for console players that would like to opt out of playing with PC Players
When searching for a game, the system prioritizes matchmaking with players on your selected platform. It only broadens the search to other platforms if… pic.twitter.com/SVAPYK6OfX
— Battlefield Wire (@TheBFWire) August 2, 2025
EA has revealed that the system will prioritise ping, ensuring players are placed near their servers, while skill will still factor in, though it will vary depending on the game mode and player count.
However, full details on how SBMM will work are yet to be disclosed.
Battlefield 6 will retain the series’ signature elements, including large-scale battles, class-based squad combat, vehicle warfare, and environmental destruction.
An open beta for the game will be available from August 9, 2025, for Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC players.
