A Troubling Trend: The Battlefield 6 Beta’s Map Design Lacks Variety

The Battlefield 6 Open Beta is in full swing, and while players are enjoying the return to a more traditional class-based system, a major concern has emerged from the chaos: the maps feel too similar. While developer DICE has been quick to address community feedback, the limited map pool available in the beta raises a potentially major problem. The choice to showcase maps that all seem to favor a specific, high-intensity playstyle might be a misstep, and it has some players worried that the final game will lack the strategic variety and distinct battlefield experiences that have defined the franchise for over two decades.

The beta features a rotation of three maps: Liberation Peak, Siege of Cairo, and Iberian Offensive, with Empire State added for the second beta weekend. On the surface, these maps appear diverse. One is a sprawling mountain village, another a dense urban setting, and the third a series of winding city streets. However, in practice, a core design philosophy seems to unite them all: the relentless pursuit of constant, close-quarters combat. Every map is designed as a series of interconnected corridors, open courtyards, and buildings with an overwhelming number of entry points. This “Swiss cheese” design, as some players have dubbed it, ensures that there is always an enemy coming from an unexpected direction. While this can lead to exciting, frantic firefights, it also means that the flow of battle is largely the same across all three maps.

The lack of meaningful chokepoints and clearly defined lanes makes it nearly impossible to hold and defend a position, a key component of classic Battlefield strategy. Instead, the gameplay loop becomes a continuous cycle of sprinting to the next objective, capturing it, and then immediately moving on. There’s no time for tactical flanking, no opportunity to set up a defensive line, and a frustrating lack of a front line. Even Liberation Peak, the largest of the beta maps with vehicle-based combat, suffers from this issue. The large, open spaces often feel disconnected from the central objectives, leading to a fragmented battle where vehicles and infantry rarely work in a truly cohesive manner. It’s a noticeable departure from iconic maps like Caspian Border or Operation Firestorm, where vehicles and infantry had distinct, interdependent roles.

DICE’s Response and the Promise of a Bigger Picture

DICE has been listening. Lead producer David Sirland has taken to social media to address the community’s concerns head-on. He has confirmed that the maps in the beta were a deliberate choice, selected to showcase the game’s “full-octane” gameplay and prove that the new engine can handle intense, fast-paced action. He has also assured players that larger, more traditional Battlefield maps do exist and will be available at launch. A remake of the fan-favorite Operation Firestorm from Battlefield 3 and the massive new map Mirak Valley are already confirmed for the full release. These maps are expected to have a slower pace and be designed with a greater focus on large-scale vehicle combat.

While this is encouraging news, it doesn’t entirely alleviate the core concern. The beta, which is meant to sell the full game, is currently showcasing a design philosophy that, if applied to the entire launch roster, could lead to a very repetitive experience. The “Combat Zones” system, which carves up larger maps into smaller areas for different game modes, is a promising concept, but it seems to have had the unintended side effect of making every map feel like a condensed infantry grinder. While the full game will undoubtedly have more variety, the beta’s presentation leaves the question unanswered: will there be enough maps that truly feel like a classic Battlefield sandbox, or will most of the launch maps be variations on the same infantry-focused, high-octane theme?

The success of Battlefield 6 will ultimately depend on its ability to strike a balance. It needs to provide the thrilling, fast-paced combat seen in the beta while also delivering the large-scale, combined-arms warfare that the franchise is known for. The beta’s maps are a clear statement from DICE about the kind of combat they value, but it’s a statement that many players are not yet ready to fully embrace. For now, the community can only hope that the full game’s map list delivers the strategic depth and unique experiences that are so sorely needed.