Battlefield 6 Goes Big on Optimization as Many Beta Players Ran at or Below Minimum Specs

Battlefield 6 aims to be accessible to all players—especially those using older hardware. EA revealed that during the beta, a substantial number of PC players ran the game using systems that met—or even fell below—the official minimum specs. In response, the team prioritized performance tuning to ensure a smooth experience across the spectrum of hardware, proving that technical inclusivity is still a priority.

Story Synopsis

During Battlefield 6’s open beta, technical director Christian Buhl confirmed that a meaningful portion of players were using PCs at or under the minimum system requirements. Despite this, DICE and EA worked diligently to optimize map designs and performance thresholds, ensuring the game remained enjoyable across devices.

The goal is clear: create a gaming experience that maintains fidelity without excluding players based on their hardware.

What It Means

This move is more than just practicality—it’s inclusive design. By consciously supporting players with lower-end hardware, Battlefield 6 stands out in a gaming era where many titles prioritize graphical bells and whistles.

It also reflects a broader business goal: keep the community large and engaged, regardless of system limitations.

How It Works

EA and DICE conducted extensive testing across hardware tiers above and below minimum specifications. Developers adjusted map assets, textures, and technical settings to ensure stability and performance even for older GPUs and CPUs.

Christian Buhl noted that minimum spec considerations were “super important” both commercially and strategically, aimed at keeping the player base as wide as possible.

Why It Matters

With rising hardware costs and global economic pressures, many gamers continue to rely on older PCs. By offering playable performance even on less powerful rigs, Battlefield 6 positions itself as welcoming to a broader demographic.

This commitment may pay off in player retention, accessibility, and overall community sentiment—key ingredients for a successful live-service shooter.

What’s Next

Battlefield Studios is continuing to refine performance through Battlefield Labs and upcoming updates.

While ray tracing has been skipped at launch to preserve broader accessibility, the developers are committed to ongoing optimizations. Their aim: ensure that minimum spec users receive a compelling, stable gameplay experience without sacrificing core mechanics.

Tech Tidbits

Battlefield 6’s minimum specs (Intel i5-8400 + RTX 2060 / RX 5600 XT) are over three years old, keeping the bar relatively low.
Beta optimizations included reworked maps and asset resolution adjustments.
Playing on older GPUs like the RX 580 was surprisingly common—and supported.
The decision to skip ray tracing aligns with the focus on smoother performance across a wide hardware range.