Battlefield 6 Weekend 2 kicks off with new content

An editorial look at Battlefield 6 Open Beta Weekend 2 highlighting a new map, a tailored matchmaking tool, and what this signals for the game ahead.

Battlefield 6 Open Beta Weekend 2 expands with Empire State Map and Custom Search

The second weekend of the Battlefield 6 Open Beta runs from August 14 to August 17 across Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and PS5, beginning at 1:00 a.m. PT. It adds the Empire State map set in Brooklyn and makes available the Rush mode, along with Squad Deathmatch, Conquest, Breakthrough, and other large scale stages such as Siege of Cairo, Iberian Offensive, and Liberation Peak. The first weekend drew a large turnout, with well over 500K players on Steam concurrently, a performance that surpassed Call of Duty on that platform. A new feature called Custom Search will let players choose preferred maps and modes, with matchmaking trying to prioritize those choices. EA and DICE position this as a improvement over RNG heavy play, while noting that it is not a server browser and that a true server browser is not being tested this week.

Custom Search is described by DICE as a tool to tailor lobby selection to player preferences, reducing repeated map exposure and improving the flow of matches. While this helps address one major piece of feedback from the first beta, it does not fully replace the traditional server browser that some fans have requested. Empire State is an infantry focused map that emphasizes close quarters combat in an urban setting. The beta also continues to feature large scale modes like Conquest and Breakthrough, with tank and air assets appearing on maps like Liberation Peak. Preorders for Battlefield 6 are available now, with a standard edition priced at 69.99 USD, a point noted in coverage as lower than some expectations.

The move to add Custom Search shows the developers trying to balance player control with the realities of matchmaking in a large scale shooter. It hints at a shift away from a pure server browse model toward more guided lobby building, a design choice that could ease pacing issues without sacrificing variety. If the system works well, it may set a new baseline for how players experience open beta periods and early postlaunch play.

Yet the absence of a true server browser remains a potential sticking point for a subset of players who want direct control over servers. The beta message that a server browser is not being tested this week keeps expectations in check, even as the Custom Search feature promises a middle ground. The price point and the continued emphasis on visuals and sound also help frame Battlefield 6 as a credible competitor to Call of Duty, at least during the beta window. The real test will come after launch as updates, balance patches, and postrelease content sustain momentum.

Highlights

A strong beta showing can carry confidence into launch, but the road to a stable live service remains a work in progress.