Publisher Electronic Arts is distributing what appears to be Battlefield 6-related surveys that ask fans about their interest in free-to-play modes and map changes. EA began speaking more candidly about the next Battlefield entry last spring, simply confirming a 2021 release window at the time.
Apart from promises that developer DICE is taking full advantage of the latest console hardware, the publisher has offered little in the way of concrete information. A couple of reputable industry insiders provide a bit of supposed insight every so often, however. Leaker Tom Henderson claimed in the past that Battlefield 6 will boast cross-play functionality and vast improvements to the franchise's ground-breaking destruction technology. Another report from Henderson suggested this year's Battlefield outing will launch on both last-gen and current-gen consoles. And just recently, GamesBeat journalist Jeff Grubb claimed EA's targeting a May as the reveal month for the new installment.
The latest piece of insight doesn't come from an inside source, per se; instead, select fans have received a new survey from Electronic Arts. As reported by Twitter user Lossy (via MP1st), the survey proposes a number of possible features, then asks participants to weigh their interest on a scale that ranges from "I'm against it" to "Extremely interested." One such question revolves around a free-to-play game mode. A subsequent survey page gauges player interest in a 100-person Guild/Clan system. Other questions ask fans to express their thoughts on the inclusion of Battle Pass and map updates.
Of course, this survey may not mean much in the grand scheme of things. These questions don't guarantee the likes of free-to-play or 100-person Guilds will play a role in this year's Battlefield installment. However, they confirm that EA and DICE are at the very least considering such additions.
DICE isn't the only team working on the franchise's upcoming entry, either; Need for Speed studio Criterion Games is also lending a helping hand as a support team. In an interview with Polygon earlier this month, Electronic Arts' chief studios officer, Laura Miele, divulged the publisher's decision to postpone Need for Speed's next outing by one year, allowing Criterion time to join the effort in getting Battlefield 2021 out the door on schedule.
The next mainline Battlefield entry is set to hit consoles and PC on an unspecified date later this year.