EA is learning from past mistakes, and Battlefield 6 might finally strike the right balance between accessibility and competitive integrity.
Battlefield 6 was recently unveiled, bringing with it a wave of excitement across the FPS community. Promising a return to classic squad-based warfare, class systems, environmental destruction, and large-scale chaos, it’s shaping up to be a massive course correction after the rocky launch of Battlefield 2042.
Among the many updates, one quietly impactful change is a completely reworked approach to crossplay: something that caused a major rift in Battlefield 2042. This time, EA is aiming for something more balanced: a “preferred crossplay” system that respects platform differences while keeping matchmaking smooth.
What Went Wrong With Battlefield 2042’s Crossplay?
Battlefield 2042 introduced full crossplay and cross-progression across PC, Xbox, and PlayStation platforms. The goal was clear: a unified player base, faster queues, and broader community engagement. But for many players — particularly those on console — the experience was anything but fair.
PC players, with the precision and speed of mouse and keyboard, often had a clear advantage in close-quarters and long-range engagements. Meanwhile, console players, using controllers with aim assist, benefited from auto-tracking and better enemy visibility, but not enough to level the playing field consistently.
The lack of input-based matchmaking meant every lobby was a toss-up. Hardcore console players voiced frustration, while PC users felt aim assist was too generous. It created tension, imbalance, and ultimately, division.
Battlefield 6’s “Preferred Crossplay” is built for fairness
Enter Battlefield 6’s new matchmaking philosophy: input-prioritised crossplay.
As confirmed by Battlefield 6 producer Alexia Christofi on X, the game will use a system where matchmaking is initially based on input type, not just platform. Console players using controllers will be matched with other controller users first, and only if necessary (e.g. low population, regional latency) will they be merged into a wider crossplay pool that includes PC players with mouse and keyboard — and vice versa.
“It’s crossplay on or off — but if crossplay is on, we treat it as console-preferred crossplay. We’ll try and match you with others playing on console before falling back to full crossplay if we can’t find you a match with only/mostly console players,” said Christofi.
This means fewer David vs. Goliath situations and more balanced, skill-based firefights where each player is on relatively even footing: at least when it comes to input method.
Why this matters for competitive integrity
While EA has plenty of incentives to keep the player pool large and unified (reduced server costs, faster matchmaking, etc.), this approach shows a rare willingness to prioritise the player experience over convenience.
Crossplay isn’t going away: and it shouldn’t. But Battlefield 6’s system allows for smarter matchmaking logic that doesn’t sacrifice fairness for efficiency. It acknowledges that mouse and keyboard ≠ controller, and gives each group the breathing room they need before blending them together.
For players who love Battlefield’s massive-scale warfare but hate getting domed by twitchy snipers with 240Hz setups, this might just be the best of both worlds.
Crossplay done right?
We’ve seen too many shooters get crossplay wrong. EA’s attempt to course-correct with a “preferred crossplay” fallback system in Battlefield 6 is a step in the right direction. If implemented properly, it could be a game-changer for matchmaking quality in large-scale PvP shooters.
Now the only question is: can Battlefield 6 deliver everywhere else? We’ll find out soon enough.
FAQs: Battlefield 6 and Crossplay
Will Battlefield 6 support crossplay?
Yes. Battlefield 6 will feature full crossplay support, but with a twist — the game will prioritize matchmaking by input type before merging players into a full crossplay pool.
What is preferred crossplay in Battlefield 6?
Preferred crossplay separates players by input — controller vs. mouse and keyboard — and only combines them when necessary to maintain healthy matchmaking times and latency.
Can I turn off crossplay in Battlefield 6?
Yes. Players will have the option to disable crossplay entirely. If enabled, the game will still try to match you with players using the same input type first.
Why is input-based matchmaking important?
Mouse and keyboard users often have faster aim precision and turn speed, while controller users rely on aim assist. Input-based matchmaking helps maintain competitive balance between the two control schemes.
Was crossplay in Battlefield 2042 unbalanced?
Many players believe so. Battlefield 2042’s universal crossplay created frustration among both PC and console players due to mismatched inputs and gameplay styles.