Is Battlefield 6 Crossplay?
Let’s cut right to the chase—yeah, Battlefield 6 is absolutely launching with crossplay. But it ain’t quite the “anything goes” setup some other shooters dump on you. This time, DICE is rolling out something new called “preferred crossplay”—and to be honest, as someone who’s been burned by PC snipers in previous games, this feels like a big improvement for anyone worried about an uneven playing field.
Battlefield Bulletin (@BFBulletin) recently shared on X that Battlefield 6 will feature “Preferred Crossplay,” letting PS5 and Xbox Series X|S players prioritize same-platform lobbies before expanding to cross-platform matches if needed. Crossplay can be fully disabled, and PC players will match across Steam, Epic, and the EA App. The game will also support cross-progression, allowing progress and unlocks to carry over across all platforms using the same EA account.
CharlieIntel (@charlieINTEL) shared on X that Battlefield 6 will allow players to enable or disable cross-play directly from the settings. According to EA, even with cross-play enabled, the system is designed to prioritize console players matching with other console players, only bringing in PC players when necessary to fill lobbies.
What’s The Deal With Preferred Crossplay?
So here’s how it works. By default, when you search for a match, Battlefield 6 prioritizes putting you with players using your same console—PS5 with PS5, Xbox with Xbox. If it takes too long to fill up a lobby, then the system widens things out and starts matching you with opposing platforms—console with PC, for example. But here’s the nice part: you get to decide.
Don’t want to go up against PC mouse and keyboard? Turn crossplay off in the settings, and you get the “console-only” experience you’re used to, at least as much as player counts allow. That’s pretty huge for those who were annoyed by the forced crossplay in 2042 or just don’t like PC’s precision edge.
Battlefield Wire (@TheBFWire) highlighted on X that Battlefield 6 will introduce “Preferred Crossplay” for console users who want to avoid PC lobbies. The feature prioritizes same-platform matchmaking first, only expanding to other platforms if lobbies can’t be filled. Players can also fully disable crossplay to restrict matches to their own console, offering stricter control over who they play with.
ModernWarzone (@ModernWarzone) shared on X that Battlefield 6 will feature optional crossplay, giving players the choice to enable or disable it entirely. Matchmaking will prioritize same-platform players first, only expanding to cross-platform lobbies when there aren’t enough players to fill a match.
Input-Based Matchmaking—A Real Try At Balance
Here’s something that rarely gets enough attention. Battlefield 6 says its crossplay system will also factor input method into matchmaking—meaning controller folks mostly play with other controller folks. It’s a nod to all those debates about “aim assist” versus the fine motor skills of PC players with a gaming mouse. Is it perfect? Time will tell.
But after 20 years of Battlefield, seeing DICE finally try to level that field a bit leaves a good taste. PC folks will still get matched up together across Steam, Epic, and EA’s own store when possible, so it’s not like you’re funneling everyone into one big soup.
Cross-Progression: Carry Your Stats Anywhere
If you’re like me and bounce between systems—hey, sometimes you visit a friend, sometimes you travel—this is a sweet bonus. Battlefield 6 is promising full cross-progression. That means your unlocks, stats, weapon customizations, and everything you grind for follow your EA account, not just your system. Buy the game separately on PS5, Xbox, and PC, and as long as you hook in the same EA account, your stuff is always there. No more re-unlocking your favorite rifle on a new platform.
Is This Really Fair For Everyone?
There’s the usual back-and-forth about whether this sort of system is truly “fair” for console-only or PC-only players. People will still complain—the controller aim assist debate is never going away, let’s be real. But at least with crossplay optional and “preferred” matchmaking, you’ve got way more choice than before.
Plus, there’s no forced mixing unless it’s needed to fill lobbies. It’s not bulletproof, and you’ll see each side whine a bit. But hey, it’s a lot better than nothing and way better than what 2042 did out of the gate.
What’s New About Battlefield 6 Beyond Crossplay?
If you’re just here for the hospital breakroom talk and the crossplay bit, you’re good. But if you want a little more—Battlefield 6 also brings back the kind of destructible environments, tighter class systems, and squad focus we loved way back in Bad Company or Battlefield 3-4. There’s a new “Kinesthetic Combat System” that feels way more physical, and honestly, just moving around feels less floaty now. Maps seem built for intense, chaotic online wars but still give you space for some team maneuvers when you aren’t dying every five seconds.
Who is This Good For?
Honestly, if you’re just a casual player—especially coming in from a TV binge or as a General Hospital fan looking for another drama fix with a different flavor—Battlefield 6’s more flexible, less mandatory crossplay is probably the least stressful version yet. It won’t magically erase the usual gripes.
But this time, you can just play with people like you and not get steamrolled by the sweatiest PC crowd unless you opt in. I don’t know—it feels like games are finally listening to the regular folks a little more, and that’s worth something in 2025