Whether this is welcome news depends a bit on your point of view, but it appears Battlefield 6 will incorporate some degree of skill-based matchmaking (SBMM).
As EA reportedly told CharlieIntel at a recent press event, the shooter’s matchmaking will prioritize several factors: connection ping, player location, server availability, and, to some extent, a player’s skill level. The exact mix will also vary based on the game mode being played.
Much of that won't come as a shock—we’re accustomed to connecting to the nearest regional servers or switching regions during peak times. However, the mention of "skill factor" has caught the attention of many players, prompting discussions and some apprehension.
SBMM has been a heated topic in FPS communities for a while, notably in games like Call of Duty and Apex Legends. Some argue that grouping players of similar skill levels disrupts the casual experience and undermines the unpredictability of unranked modes. Others, however, see it as a vital tool for balancing competitive play and protecting newer players. The debate grew so intense in the Call of Duty community that earlier this year, fans petitioned Activision to reveal their unofficial skill ratings.
Before you draft a complaint to EA, note that skill is only one of several matchmaking factors mentioned, and its exact weight remains unclear. Meanwhile, with a new "server browser solution" reportedly in development, the community is eager to see how everything comes together.
"Just a heads-up for COD fans," clarified one commenter. "These parameters have always been part of Battlefield's matchmaking. This isn't the strict SBMM found in Call of Duty—nothing close. It’s simply how teams are balanced; players of all skill levels will end up in the same lobby."
"The entire COD community has PTSD from the last decade of releases," another quipped.
We recently had a glimpse of the game's battle royale mode, which, according to earlier leaks, takes place in California with deployment via CH-47 Chinook. The destructive ring is said to be composed of a material called "NXC." Despite price speculation, Battlefield 6 should be a standard $70.
"Battlefield 6 looks back to the franchise's peak, blending beloved elements from Battlefield 3 and 4—but is this return to past glory genuinely exciting?" we pondered in IGN's preview.
"From reviving the classic class system of Assault, Support, Engineer, and Recon to evaluating if staples like 64-player Conquest still deliver the same thrill." Continue reading for more on why we believe BF6 feels like a "safe yet explosive homecoming."
First announced back in 2021, Battlefield 6 launches on October 10 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S. Unfortunately, EA currently has no plans to bring Battlefield 6 to the Nintendo Switch 2. Unlike the tepid reaction to Battlefield 2042, fan feedback has been largely positive so far. For a time, EA even allowed leaked assets to remain online.
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