Battlefield 6 Hosts a Free Weekend With the Full Game Amid Season 5 Backlash

EA has launched a Battlefield 6 trial that lets you play every available map and mode for free. The promotion started just days after Season 5, Siege of Las Vegas, came out. Players met that season with a wave of criticism over suspected generative AI and a new XP cap.

According to the developers, Battlefield 6 is free to play from October 16 to 19, and the trial has no content restrictions. You get all maps and modes, including Breakthrough, Domination, and Conquest. To join in, install the trial from your platform’s store.

Earlier free periods in Battlefield 6 came with limits. Players only got three maps and five multiplayer modes, and they had to launch the trial through Battlefield 6 RedSec.

EA is also offering up to 60% off the Standard Edition until October 20. On Steam, that brings the price down to $27.99 from $69.99.

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The free weekend and the 60% discount most likely have to do with how players received the fifth season. Siege of Las Vegas launched on October 13, and the community soon spotted signs of generative AI in the new skins. The Battle Pass operator skin drew the most attention. Five identical pistols hang off its vest, and the sleeve patch reads “Secuty” instead of “Security.” DICE had previously promised there would be no generative AI in Battlefield 6.

Players were also angered by a new XP cap. Since update 2.1.1.0, weapon XP is capped at 300 per minute, and anything you earn above that limit doesn’t count. At the same time, the store added the Ultimate Shortcut Kit for $30. It instantly unlocks every weapon across all four classes at 100% mastery. Many players believe EA slowed progression down to sell more of the $30 kit.

The developers haven’t said so officially, but if you play the free version and then buy Battlefield 6, your progress will most likely carry over, as it did during previous free periods.