TheBattlefield 6open beta is a chance to gather meaningful data on closed and open weapon playlists, but it feels like the experiment isn’t being conducted fairly. Closed weapons is the traditionalBattlefieldsetup, where each class has a certain weapon type only usable by that class, and a few universal weapon types are shared. Open weapons have no such restrictions, instead providing other incentives to use a class’s signature weapon type.
MostBattelfieldgames feature closed weapons; it was a cornerstone of the series' class system.Battlefieldhas never been exceptionally realistic, but it does attempt to provide a sort of facsimile of operating in a squad, where individual members have certain specializations. This is still broadly true with each class’s gadgets, butclosed weapons also help game balance, ensuring one weapon type – or even the perceived strongest weapon – doesn’t dominate every lobby.
Open vs. Closed Weapons In Battlefield 6 Explained
An Ongoing Debate
Battlefield 6’s default configuration has open weapons – any class can use any weapon. This became known shortly after theBattlefield Labsplaytests began, and concerned a lot of longtime fans. Before the open beta dates were even announced, it was revealed thatthe beta would be used as a testing ground for, among other things, open versus closed weapons. Broadly speaking, it felt like the developers were adamant aboutBF6using open weapons, while the most dedicated players wanted to see the return of closed weapons.
When the open beta began, it became clear how closed weapons were being tested. There are individual playlists named, for example, Closed Weapon Breakthrough. In these playlists, each class has a weapon type that can’t be used by the others; e.g. Recon is the only class that can equip a sniper rifle. Carbines, shotguns, and DMRs are still available for all four classes. It’s now starting to become clear, though, that the closed weapon tests aren’t really fair.
It Feels Like Battlefield 6 Is Purposefully Hiding The Closed Weapons Playlists
They Weren’t Given A Fair Shake
Going in, the open beta felt like a chance to truly see if a closed weapon ruleset was better, and if so, potentially show the developers that this is what the community really wants. But it feels like the concession of closed weapon playlists was made in bad faith. When you go to select a game type in the open beta, there’s only ever been one closed weapon playlist available at a time, andit’s usually at the end of the row, sometimes behind so many that it’s off-screen, requiring you to scroll over to see it.
At thestart of the open beta’s second weekend, a custom search was added, giving you greater control over what game modes and maps you can play.The custom search has no option for closed weapons, though, so anyone using it will be placed in the already more numerous open weapon playlists. Without equal placement in the menus or ease of access, it’s easy to imagineBattlefieldnewcomers – or even longtime players who aren’t aware of the debate – ignoring the closed weapon options, especially since their naming makes it clear they’re not the default rule set.
The most cynical possible reading of the situation is that the results are being influenced by a purposefully unfair test. The open weapon playlists are obviously going to be more popular, and so closed weapons are either going to be cut fromBattlefield 6’s full release entirely or suffer a similar fate as in the beta, relegated to an alternate mode that sees less activity, thus longer queue times as the game ages.
I can’t outright vilify anyone over the situation; it’s clearly complicated and that would be unfair to the developers. It’s also possible that closed weapon playlists were a late addition to the open beta build, so this was the best possible implementation. Still, it doesn’t bode well for me, who prefers closed weapons and the forced variety it brings toBattlefield. Only time will tell, but it seems like closed weapons weren’t given a fair chance, andBattlefield 6will simply continue with its original vision without properly exploring the alternative.
