Battlefield 6’s matchmaking – a new point of division on the path to success

In its search for record-breaking success, Battlefield 6 is caught between old-school expectations core to the series (so far) and a newer way of doing things that targets global appeal. Count titles like Fortnite, VALORANT, and even League of Legends as competitive games where matchmaking is expected. So, Battlefield 6’s matchmaking. Yeah, about that..

As is now apparent, BF6 will use SBMM (skill-based matchmaking) in lobbies, which isn’t any departure from Battlefield 2042. But BF 2042 isn’t the standard BF6 is being held to. In the 2010s, or as I’ll call them, the days of BF3 and BF4, server browsers were the gold standard for the series. 

Thanks to its roots as a specific PC and Mac first-person shooter, it made a lot of sense. That’s not the way things are done in the mid-2020s, though, with BF6 walking quite the tightrope to achieve gaming greatness. So what’s the problem, and what is Dice doing?

One thing Battlefield 6 wants to have in common with the titles I mentioned in the intro is popularity. There’s no denying that each of them has had huge success, and that comes down to ease of access as much as compelling content. In marketing terms, I suppose it’s about lowering ‘barriers to entry’. If a developer handles matchmaking and lobbies, players don’t need to worry. 

Battlefield’s developers and EA know this, and you don’t hit the golden 100 million player target EA wants by having a server browser core to your multiplayer access. It won’t happen. You don’t have a server browser that’s core to VALORANT or Fortnite, for example. The primary reason is that you want a centralised solution with minimal clicks to the actual game, connecting players more quickly to the action. Then it’s the simple matter of enjoyment to keep players coming back. 

Further, the differences between where BF3 and BF4 were, and where BF6 wants to go, are clear when you look at what we know about Battlefield 6. From the gameplay so far, it’s not just an homage to those classic titles in look and feel, but a bristling beast wanting to expand the borders well beyond the territory of its forbearers. For that, it’s now computer AND console players needing a familiar entry point. A skill-based matchmaking solution is the new standard.

Battlefield 6’s matchmaking will be somewhat skill-based, but that’s not the only criterion. That’s a good thing, because from what we know, the matchmaking will differ depending on the game mode. More generally, though, per CharlieIntel on X, these are the key factors for SBMM: 

“EA says Battlefield 6 matchmaking will focus on: 

The matchmaking factors will vary based on each game mode and player counts”. 

This makes sense, providing players with a balance of performance (ping) and skill, with some suggestions that skill levels are then balanced across teams. What the ‘And some skill factor’ actually is isn’t clear, but being useful to your team in Battlefield is certainly more than nailing headshots and assists.

Another positive is that we know Battlefield devs care deeply about matchmaking. This is clear from a now-removed post on the Battlefield subreddit, taken from the closed Battlefield Labs Discord server (via Insider-gaming). In that content, Battlefield 6 producer David Sirland was quoted as saying: “ping and time to game is the TOP priority”. This backs up the need for players to be able to jump into the action quickly for wider global access.

Sirland went on to add: “the skill factor is negligable [sic] in terms of sorting into servers”, but further added, “we need a skill value to make balanced teams – no matter the ranges of skills total on a server”. 

There’s no clear suggestion of how this relates to BF6 directly – a near-finished product isn’t the same as one in development – but it likely isn’t a million miles away. What’s more important is that the devs care about a balance of enjoyment and speed when it comes to matchmaking.

Equally, there are some potential concerns here. While we don’t know the skill-factor element of BF6’s matchmaking, a lack of transparency about that leaves Battlefield 6 open to criticism. That is, the moment players feel aggrieved about what may be perceived as imbalanced matches, matchmaking becomes a target. Somewhat ironically, a larger player base, which such a system is designed to allow, may make such claims louder. Here’s hoping there’s not much to be loud about. 

Another concern about SBMM is regional popularity. Where server browsers excelled in BF3 and BF4 was with sure-fire local servers for players to favourite and return to repeatedly. On a post in the Battlefield subreddit called “Why is everyone okay with Battlefield 6 not having a server browser?”, A concerned user called ‘straight-device-4110’ explains why they’re not okay with it: 

“Our player count will be rather small after a few months of the game being out. If the match making is anything like BF4042 the game will be unplayable for us. We will search for a game for 10 minutes, it wont find one and we will be put back to the main menu (This is with cross play on). There is no option to expand the search range to Asia and USA servers.”

This isn’t a new issue; again, matchmaking lobbies were in BF 2042, but there will be plenty of players hoping for a new start in BF6 – or a new evolution of BF3/4 glory days. In that case, a familiar game style, without a server browser, isn’t the same. That’s where resistance seems to be brewing with some Battlefield fans, particularly those not impressed by 2042. BF6 has a sort of reply here: Battlefield Portal.

For the reasons we’ve covered, I understand why Battlefield 6 has gone with SBMM for its mainstream multiplayer experience. Ultimately, if the title’s mass appeal emerges quickly, then it’s unlikely to be an issue, and players will love being able to jump in and play in a modern, familiar way. 

After all, dedicated server communities take time to build and, frankly, EA and BF6 probably don’t have that time to hit their goals. However, the matchmaking approach is a throw of the dice (pun intended) because Battlefield 6 will need its lobbies to work well and its Battlefield Portal solution to cater for those seeking a server browser. 

Taking to X, Dice producer Alexia Cristofi asked for views on why a server browser was important to fans, and addressed the replies in a three-post thread. In full, Cristofi stated: 

“Feels like your most important things are:

More to share on this in future. But..I think our serber [sic] browser solution answers all these wants. Yes, it’s via portal and shows community experiences, but these can award full XP, will be front and center in our main menu, not hidden – and will allow you to filter and search for specific things you want. Again, more to share on this in the future – but seeing all your replies I think what we have caters to the majority of use cases. We can talk more about if/why it feels like it’s not enough at a later date!”

As someone who loved their dedicated BF server communities in the 2010s, this is a fine and helpful response that hopefully quells questions in the fanbase. But even Battlefield 6’s open beta won’t dispel concerns, as Portal will have to show its true worth on full release. As ever, the proof will be in the pudding. 

What more can we say? While we don’t know the ‘skill’ element being used for BF6 matchmaking, Dice will want easy access alongside a balanced solution to promote compelling and competitive multiplayer. But even if that’s the case, there may be some concerned fans. 

We’ll need to wait until Battlefield Portal spins up for BF6 to see if the server browser side of things can plug the gaps where dependable, customised action can be found. Battlefield 6 is clearly all about being the best and biggest Battlefield ever. And if it can pull off both solid matchmaking and a usable server browser where communities may also form, then it will surely be well on the way.