The Latest Relaxed Game Mode Ignites Heated Discussions Regarding AI Players, Experience Points, and Queue Times
Over the weekend, the game developers introduced a new playlist called Casual Breakthrough. In essence, this option mirrors the standard Breakthrough format but features several notable changes:
- Every squad includes only 8 real players, with the remaining made up of 32 bots.
- Actions performed by human gamers grant full XP, while bot actions provide lower rewards.
- Only two locations can be played: Cairo Siege and Empire State.
- Elements like Dogtags, achievements, and career stat updates are disabled.
So essentially, this mode delivers on its title: it's a laid-back take of Breakthrough. On the surface, one could assume it's a good idea, since it gives more options for players seeking alternative ways to enjoy the title. However, if video games has shown one thing, it is that you can't please everyone. Which is to say, a lot of Battlefield 6 players are mad.
Player Responses: From Fury to Praise
"Gamers prefer human opponents. Avoid making the errors of your rivals," reads a response to the mode reveal. "Absolutely shocking idea," says another. At the same time, in community forums, one user notes, "I have no idea where we are headed with this title," while another lists all the issues they believe to be problematic in the game: "Resolve glitches, address drone issues, fix IVF rockets, fix [the] bloom after sprinting bug, fix awful hit registration. We don't need this bot mode."
However, for every complaint, some gamers sharing how much they're liking the new mode. "It's very fun to practice, real players prevent it from being a total farmfest but it's quite laid-back," reads a forum post. "This subreddit fails to see that there are players who have lives and don't play this title all the time. Let them strike a balance," adds another. A response via social media clarifies that as they're "a parent gamer with busy schedules, this is perfect for me," while another applauds the mode for "avoiding intense competition."
Constructive Criticisms and Community Input
All that said, players have constructive reasons to criticize the new mode. A few folks have highlighted that it could increase wait times more extended for different playlists because of the sheer number of options in the game already. Similarly, some areas already encounter mostly bots in the current modes. It also seems somewhat counterintuitive that the mode won't start without a minimum number of real players, even though it focuses mostly on combat against bots.
Finally, a major grievances is that Battlefield Portal was promised to provide full XP, including AI matches, but that got canned when they tried to eliminate bot farms from the mode. Thus Casual Breakthrough seems like the player base compromising in the middle, as per a Reddit comment. Another describes this addition as the developers "dropping the ball significantly, I experienced great enjoyment in the first couple of days, what prompted them to change it?"
Future Prospects: Adjustments Be Made?
Should the development team has proven anything to date with Battlefield 6, it is that they're paying attention and responding to feedback. Tasks that were overly hard were adjusted rapidly, as did the required Redsec challenges. It is likely that, if their data indicates this new playlist is underperforming to their standards, they will not hesitate to change it again.