Battlefield 6 is in Danger of Sparking the Same Controversy as Its Competition

by

So far, there’s been a lot of excitement surrounding Battlefield 6. The beta has drawn in a huge crowd, giving Battlefield Studios a significant boost in public relations. They’ve shared some significant movement adjustments from the beta and even announced more testing for two launch maps through Battlefield Labs. It seems well-positioned to attract new players with its quick-moving gameplay, while veterans can look forward to its realistic cosmetics, the classic map Operation Firestorm, and the reintroduction of class focus. However, Battlefield 6 could face some turbulence if one particular feature oversteps its mark.

The mentioned characteristic is exclusive to the Phantom Edition of Battlefield 6, an upgraded and pricier variant of the game which comes packed with a selection of digital extras. More precisely, the $100 package for Battlefield 6 contains the following items:

  • 4 soldier skins
  • 2 weapon packages
  • 1 vehicle skin
  • A collection of charms, dog tags, and other cosmetics
  • 1 Battlefield Pro Token

The special edition of Battlefield 6, known as the Phantom Edition, offers temporary XP enhancements for both weapons and player profiles, instead of lasting or permanent upgrades.

The Battlefield Pro Token, which is the last item, might catch the attention of people familiar with the Call of Duty series because it gives access to the initial battle pass for the game and 25 level skips, as well as special items called “exclusive cosmetics.” Although we don’t know yet what these cosmetics will be, at this point, it seems similar to Blackcell, a character or feature from Call of Duty. However, Battlefield Studios should be careful not to follow this path too closely to avoid appearing like they are copying the Call of Duty franchise.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Took Blackcell in Some Problematic Directions

In simpler terms, the Blackcell battle passes for Call of Duty are pricier versions of regular battle passes, offering additional rewards. These include themed skins for major Operator outfits and weapon blueprints from the main battle pass, plus an exclusive Call of Duty Operator, a unique clan tag for Blackcell owners, and more. The Blackcell themes often feature eye-catching designs, such as golden fire effects, ghostly prisoners, and depictions of gods and goddesses. Some players have been critical of these premium battle passes since their introduction, arguing that they undervalue the base version due to many interesting cosmetics being locked behind a higher price tag. However, Black Ops 6 has added even more reasons for dislike towards the Blackcell system.

Beyond introducing an controversial XP boost that allows Blackcell owners to progress through the battle pass faster in Black Ops 6, they also introduced contentious ideas such as exclusive bundle skins and rewards solely for Blackcell users. The issue with these exclusive bundles is similar to the problem with the Blackcell pass itself, but it’s even more debatable since it means that a large portion of Call of Duty players who buy bundles (which are usually pricier than the basic battle pass) won’t receive all the content. In essence, those who purchase a bundle without owning the pricey Blackcell pass could potentially miss out on a unique Operator skin they would have otherwise received. As for Black Ops 6 events, offering exclusive skins, weapon blueprints, and camo variants to only Blackcell users gave the impression that the same amount of effort yielded fewer rewards, which made these events less enticing for numerous gamers.

Battlefield 6 Has to Avoid Making BF Pro Take on Call of Duty’s Worst Blackcell Tendencies

In simpler terms, it’s clear that in Black Ops 6, Treyarch and Activision made the Blackcell passes more valuable with exclusive event content, XP bonuses, and extra items from bundles. This strategy meant that Blackcell owners were consistently gaining advantages, but it also made players without Blackcell feel like they were being left behind. To make Battlefield Pro appealing while still being consumer-friendly, it’s important to avoid the strategies Black Ops 6 used for Blackcell passes.

1. When offering in-store bundles for Battlefield 6, it’s better to avoid including Battlefield Pro bonuses. This means that whoever purchases the bundle should receive the entire content package regardless of their battle pass version.
2. It would be more equitable for Battlefield 6 events to not offer exclusive rewards for Pro members. Instead, consider providing an exclusive challenge or challenge set to help players progress through the event quicker as a fair alternative (this is an example from BO6’s Blackcell addition that could serve as a learning point).
3. To prevent accusations of pay-to-win in Battlefield 6’s battle pass like those directed at BO6’s Blackcell passes, it’s advisable to eliminate Pro XP bonuses entirely. If limited to exclusive battle pass cosmetics, tier skips, and extra challenges for event progression, Battlefield Pro can steer clear of the negative attention that Call of Duty’s Blackcell passes have received in recent months.

Read More

2025-08-24 16:35