New Battlefield 6 trailer – “Gun Culture” on console?

The long road to success: Battlefield games with a "modern" setting.

Approximately 81% of people between the ages of 16 and 29 play first-person shooter or action games. These are the findings of the most renowned studies on video games and first-person shooters. The best known are EA's Battlefield and Activision's Call of Duty. The Battlefield series, in particular, with its modern storylines, has shaped generations of young people over the decades and has been very successful.

Battlefield 3: Welcome to Iraq!

Battlefield 3 captivated millions of players. The Iraq War had only occurred seven years prior, and the game's setting - fighting rebels in Iraq and Iran - was highly topical. It was a guaranteed worldwide success. According to Forbes, five million copies of the game were sold in the opening week alone, setting a record for EA.

One of the Battlefield series' most iconic strengths became apparent early on: the class system. The recently released Battlefield 6 trailer and leaks confirm this - the game mechanics seem to focus once again on specialized roles, such as Assault, Medic, Engineer, and Recon. Each class will offer unique abilities and access to specific weapon systems and vehicles.

I fondly remember spending hours with my friends during school breaks discussing the pros and cons of the various Battlefield classes and weapons, such as the MP7 or M416, as well as the tactical significance of tanks, jets, and transport vehicles. We had little technical knowledge at the time, but the game's authentic representation sparked a genuine interest in weapon mechanics, military technology, and the strategic use of systems in "combat" for many of us.

Battlefield 6 seems to revisit this fascination. The current gameplay trailer hints at a return to the elements that made the series great since Battlefield 3 and Battlefield 4: class-based teamplay, diverse tactics and technology, an impressive selection of modern weapons and vehicles, and, above all, action.

Battlefield 4 – An underrated predecessor?

With Battlefield 4, EA wanted to surpass the huge success of Battlefield 3. The new Battlefield game featured state-of-the-art graphics, intense gameplay, and a story-driven campaign set in 2020 amid a global crisis between the US and Russia. Despite all these improvements, Battlefield 4 was unable to quite match the commercial success of its predecessor: while Battlefield 3 sold around 13 million units, its successor stopped at around 7 million.

Battlefield 4 also set new standards in modern first-person shooters: from fully destructible buildings and huge maps to all kinds of long and short weapons – combined with thousands of customization options for weapons and equipment. What began with Battlefield 3 reached its peak with Battlefield 4: the fascination with modern warfare, counterterrorism, and special forces operations.

Unlike Call of Duty, the Battlefield games have always focused on cooperative team play – but lone gunmen also got their money's worth. Players would meet in the lobby, discuss game moves, unlock sights, grips, muzzle devices and experience the thrill of huge sandbox “battles” in front of their screens together with friends. For many players, this was the golden age of the series.

Battlefield 6 – New trailer raises high expectations

The new trailer is sure to excite fans and nerds alike. With the latest trailer for Battlefield 6, EA signals a significant shift in content that will appeal not only to longtime fans of the series but also to viewers interested in defense politics and tactics. Following two World War-themed titles (Battlefield 1 and Battlefield V) and the visually and mechanically overstuffed Battlefield 2042, the series returns to a contemporary combat setting based on real locations and events.

The trailer showcases an unusually high level of detail in terms of personal equipment and weaponry. Visible items include dual-tube night vision systems, modular Crye Precision JPC plate carriers, OPS-CORE FAST High Cut helmets, ALOT of Multicam, IR lasers, and passive night vision shooting systems. Weapon systems are also visible, such as the HK433 assault rifle, which is currently under consideration for various NATO procurement projects. The visual implementation appears to be based on the actual requirements of modern infantry forces in conventional operations. Of course, helicopters fly into buildings — after all, it's still a new Battlefield game.

This imagery is likely to catch the eye of those who are familiar with the current equipment standards of NATO countries, as some of the items depicted clearly fall into the category of "high-end gear" and "special forces," while others are clearly intended for "regular infantry." From my perspective, the equipment does not appear overly exaggerated or artificial. Rather, it seems as if the creators consulted with military personnel. "What equipment would you want under ideal conditions?" and "What will infantry look like in 2025?"

Conclusion: Battlefield 6 could be a real hit.

Based on what we have seen in the trailers so far, Battlefield 6 could establish itself as one of the most relevant titles in the "contemporary combat gaming segment". It is no secret that digital simulations have long been more than just entertainment: video games kind of "shape" gun culture, influence material perception and our thinking, from civilian sport shooters to operational training for authorities and the military.

Perhaps Battlefield 6 will become more than just a “successful shooter” in this context: a medium that stands at the intersection of entertainment and reflection of global defence politics. After all, "digital battlefields" are also an expression of collective processing in depth psychology. It is hardly a coincidence that a new Battlefield game is being introduced right now and that it is deliberately set in a contemporary scenario.