Battlefield 6 Season 2 plans have promise, but it’s hard to be excited

Battlefield 6’s fall from more than 500,000 PC players at launch to 24-hour peaks of just 50,000 players feels almost absurd. Once hailed as the ‘CoD-killer’ and the much-needed renewer of FPS multiplayer gaming, BF6 now sits in the 30+ position realm of Steam’s most played titles. It’s a blow made no easier by the performance of CoD, either.

The dramatic fall in sentiment among both PC and console players is the result of manifold issues perceived by players. Map size, hit-registry, a repetitive feel, the shift to speedy rounds, and better titles are all cited. But where Season 1 failed to substantively bolster things, could the Battlefield 6 player count rebound for Season 2? That’s the hope.

While the BF6 Season 2 schedule isn’t yet clear, we do have some information about what’s to come. Thanks to an official Community Update posted to X, we now know what’s being lined up for testing in Battlefield Labs, specifically for Season 2. A sensible mix of priorities is being focused on, and who knows, some bright sparks may help kick things back into gear. 

First off, there’ll be additional maps, including ‘Contaminated’. It’s stated that this “falls between Eastwood and Mirak Valley” in size, and is comparable to BF1’s Quentin Scar and BFV’s Arras. Based on this info, even as a ‘large map’, it doesn’t feel like this will offer the added scale many are desperate for, but we’ll have to see if it’s one of the better BF6 maps.

The update also speaks to a rebuilt Golmud Railway in the near-ish future. That map is divisive for BF4 fans, so it’s a curious choice. But Golmud should at least offer flexibility for BF6’s game modes. It also has some established support for enjoyable vehicle warfare, as long as BF6’s vehicle selection and gameplay support that potential. 

Speaking of which, the AH-6 Little Bird is looking to make a comeback in Battlefield 6 season 2, proving that some BF6 Season 2 rumours were near the mark. Previously, the Little Bird certainly varied aerial combat, transport, attack options, and enjoyment. It’s a fondly remembered vehicle for being a real nuisance, so it deserves a proper, thought-out return. 

Yes, as we dive deeper into the Community Update, it’s good to see that some specific issues are being addressed. They really do need to be. Still, beyond flat content (like the tepid Winter Offensive update), BF6 has technical hurdles. “Future testing will also validate improvements we’re making to hit registration and overall combat consistency”, we’re told.

That’s good to know, but for a triple-A game to be testing and iterating months on from launch is rough. Historical concerns about BF6 even making its release window echo anew, as does the reported dream of 100 million BF6 players. Also rough. Here’s hoping that ‘combat consistency’ like nullifying death behind cover arrives early in the Season 2 cycle. 

Consistency is crucial for Season 2 to regain a footing, particularly considering that Battlefield 6’s crossplay brings together different players and platforms. But this is hardly new. For hardcore BR fans, neither is the consideration that RedSec needed a solo queue: something understandably frustrating, even though I maintain RedSec offers fun as it is.

However, Solo queues feel like a planned addition for RedSec players, as internal testing of BR Solos is reportedly ongoing. And yet it may feel like another catch-up that needed to have arrived yesterday, not at some point in the coming months. Nonetheless, here’s hoping that all of the above, and more, can pull together to add a little shine back to BF’s boots. 

So, how am I, a BF fan, feeling about Season 2? Hopeful, but I’ve long since stopped being excited about BF6 before I jump in and try to enjoy the action. Perhaps that’s how other players feel, too, explaining some of the dramatic fall in numbers. And perhaps there is just more frustration and a cold feeling than a lingering excitement to play one more round.

I understand that BF6 isn’t intended to do quite what older-school fans like me love (epic battles that go on and on, and feel ever unpredictable). Yet it is surely intended to have more people enjoy it than it does, strong competition (Arc Raiders) or otherwise. So for season 2, Battlefield 6 has a lot to deliver, and it at least feels like the right areas are being addressed. 

All being well, Battlefield 6 Season 2 can bring much-needed consistency, mixed with added gems like the Little Bird and enjoyable playtime across new and ‘classic’ BF maps. Addressing community concerns about core consistency and offerings seems to be the focus, and getting the game into a solid state is more important than frivolous extras. 

Season 2 is certainly when BF6 needs to feel reliable, fun, and up for the challenge of being a long-term FPS option: both for regular players and those who may be tempted to return. Given how far the player count has fallen, this may be an uphill battle. But there’s some hope that things can improve, even if excitement now feels hard-won.