I know, I know. I’m sick of this age-oldBattlefield-Call of Dutyfight that’s taken place over the past decade-plus. But we’re headed for another clash of the FPS titans this fall.
Battlefield 6will drop in October, followed shortly after byBlack Ops 7some time in November, so players will have to make a choice which game to give the most of their time and money to. And as for how early signs go,BF6is showing it may be the more refined title already for one big reason.
Battlefield Labshas been an important part ofBF6’sdevelopment thus far. Many players have been testing the game since at least February, if not earlier, and feedback has already been implemented on some of the game’s growing pains, according to EA.
For example, one ofBF6’snew gadgets is a Weapon Sling that allows players to carry multiple primary guns, but players haven’t been fans of how it feels, so the developers are making a move to tweak it.
“Following feedback fromBattlefield Labsparticipants, it was clear that players felt the earliest iterations of the Weapon Sling Gadget was intruding upon Class Identity with its ability to use Double Assault Rifles, or any other Signature Weapon and we agreed,” DICEsaidtoday. “As stated in our second Community Update on Classes, this is being addressed.”
With the feedback given,BF6players will now no longer be able to use two assault rifles, LMGs, or sniper rifles, but Carbines, DMRs, and shotguns will be usable in that second slot. As ever, though, theBF6devs say “balance continues to change throughoutBattlefield Labsand beyond.” This is good stuff from EA.
And in turn, this is a spot whereBO7,andCoDgames in general, are lacking. Sure, there are small-scale private playtests where players give feedback to help the games in development, but I can’t help but feel like something more ongoing and similar toBattlefield Labswould helpCoDlaunch more smoothly.
We’ve seen it time and time again when a yearlyCoDgame launches in a sorry state for one reason or another, and it takes several updates with player feedback in tow to help bring it in line with what the community wants. Something likeCoD Labswould help alleviate these annual pains, I think. The situation is obviously exacerbated by a newCoDdropping every 12 months, but more feedback from a wider berth of players feels like it could help.
BO7will followBF6with its own beta some time this fall, and both games will become better for it. But why not have some more assistance along the way with aLabs-like feature forCoD? Sure, leaks are going to happen, but let’s be honest…they happen anyway.
Like theSplitgate 2guy said, let’s make FPS games “great again”…but with some help from the community. In theory, at least for now,BF6is looking to be a better game because of it, so I wishCoDwould follow suit.
