Battlefield 6 REDSEC and Season One launch: our early impressions of the new battle royale mode now that it's out

Battlefield 6 battle royale launches later today alongside Season One

Hello and happy release day! I'll be covering the launch of Battlefield 6 Season One live, building up to the start time, and the release of the Battlefield: REDSEC battle royale mode. Let's get started.

Here's the Battlefield REDSEC and Season One release time for your timezone

Battlefield: REDSEC is a brand new free-to-play battle royale mode that'll launch alongside Season One at the following times:

• East Coast (US): 11AM ET
• West Coast (US): 8AM PT
• United Kingdom: 3PM GMT
• Central Europe: 4PM CET
• Australia (Sydney): 2AM AEDT (October 29)
• Japan (Tokyo): 12 AM JST (October 29)

Where to watch the Battlefield: REDSEC trailer

The Battlefield: REDSEC battle royale trailer will debut alongside its launch. You can view the trailer link below, though it won't go live until Battlefield 6 Season One does.

Battlefield REDSEC Official Gameplay Trailer - YouTube

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Battlefield 6 multiplayer is getting a new map

The Blackwell Fields map launches as part of Battlefield 6 Season One. It's a recommissioned American air base in the California badlands, with loads of verticality and wide open spaces that'll be great for battling through using vehicles.

Battlefield REDSEC release time confirmed, and it's just five hours away!

Battlefield: REDSEC is confirmed to be the new battle royale mode launching in Battlefield 6 later today. It's free to play, and there will be a trailer premiering once Season One goes live. Follow along with this page to know the moment the servers go online.

Three new weapons are coming to Battlefield 6

Battlefield 6 Season One brings three new weapons into the game. There's the SOR-300SC which is a new Carbine, the GGH-22 semi-automatic handgun, and the Mini Scout sniper rifle.

Battlefield REDSEC is free to play

Battlefield REDSEC launches later today, as a new battle royale mode in Battlefield 6. The good news is that it's completely free to play, though we don't yet know whether it'll be a separate download. I'll update once I hear more about the file size and download process.

Battlefield REDSEC gets Twitch Drops

There's Twitch Drop rewards for Battlefield REDSEC, allowing you to earn in-game items by watching Battlefield REDSEC streamers on Twitch. There's the Hitchhiking Vehicle Decal (watch for 1 hour), the Marauder Vehicle Skin (watch for 2 hours), the Highland Hunter Weapons Package (watch for 3 hours), and the No Mercy Soldier Skin (watch for 4 hours). These are available October 28 at 11AM ET / 8AM PT / 3PM GMT to November 4 at 2:59AM ET (November 5) / 11:59PM PT / 6:59AM GMT (November 5).

Battlefield 6's latest patch is now live

Battlefield 6 just got updated to Version 1.1.1.0, and it's advised that you restart your game for the changes to take effect. Below are the main changes:

• Improved core movement and animations, including smoother landings, faster stance transitions, better vaulting behavior, and reduced “bouncing” issues on landing or spawning.
• Reworked weapon dispersion to better align accuracy and handling with each weapon’s intended design and performance over range. These changes address cases where accuracy behaved inconsistently, such as dispersion not properly settling after sprinting, and bring overall firing behavior closer to the intended balance between precision, control, and weapon power.
• Significant visibility and lighting improvements, with better exposure transitions, interior lighting, and reduced fog and smoke persistence.

No downtime planned for Battlefield REDSEC

There's no downtime planned for Battlefield 6 Season One and Battlefield REDSEC. Players will be able to play Battlefield 6's latest version now, before the major updates arrive later today.

Strikepoint arrives later today

There's a new mode that'll be added to Battlefield 6 later today. Strikepoint is a 4v4 multiplayer affair that pits two squads against each other in close-quarters combat. They'll battle it out over a single objective, with only one life per player, per round. This one is for Hardcore players.

Battlefield REDSEC release time countdown: Just 3 hours to go!

There's just 3 hours to go until Battlefield REDSEC, and Battlefield 6 Season One go live. You can still play the game in the meantime, but be sure to keep an eye out for news on potential updates you'll need to download.

New attachments arriving soon

Season One will add Rail Covers for some rifles and LMGs that increase the draw speed of each weapon. Low Powered Variable Optics scopes also add new options for the magnification on LMGs and rifles. These new attachments drop as part of October 28's major update.

Is there a preload for Season One and Battlefield REDSEC?

Battlefield 6 Season 1 Official Gameplay Trailer - YouTube

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By the looks of things, there's no preload available for Battlefield 6 Season One, or Battlefield REDSEC. The former has already been updated, and there's no downtime planned, so you should be good to go once the content goes live. In terms of REDSEC, we don't yet know whether it'll be a separate download, or within the BF6 launcher.

Battlefield REDSEC release time countdown: Two hours until it's here!

There's no better way to convey a sense of waiting around than a creepy skeleton wearing a cheap tie - at least according to stock image websites.

If you're starting to feel a bit like our bony friend up there, then take comfort in the fact that we won't waiting for much longer.

The Battlefield 6 Season One launch, and by extension REDSEC release, are just two hours away.

It'll be here before you know it.

Is Battlefield 6 about to get a new launcher?

One of my biggest questions in the build up to the Battlefield: REDSEC launch is just how the free-to-play version is going to work.

Unlike Call of Duty, Battlefield 6 isn't really its own game launcher so I'm wondering whether the free version will be a totally separate application on digital storefronts.

There's also a chance that EA will update how Battlefield 6 functions, adding an extra screen that allows you to choose between the campaign and multiplayer (if you already own it) and REDSEC.

I'm interested to see whether Battlefield 6 owners will be able to choose to uninstall the multiplayer modes in order to save some console storage too, as is currently the case with Call of Duty: Warzone.

Battlefield REDSEC is available to download, and you likely already have it installed

It seems that Battlefield REDSEC was added to Battlefield 6 as part of this morning's update. If you head into the in-game settings, scroll to "System" and then select the install option, you can check what you have installed. You should see an option for REDSEC, as well as a texture pack. Make sure these are checked, so that you're ready to go for later.

Battlefield REDSEC release time countdown: One hour to go!

We're now just one hour away from the release of Battlefield REDSEC. As per my last post, you should already have it installed, but be sure to check. Season One adds the Blackwell Fields map in an hour too, and I can't wait to try it out.

There's two more big content drops planned for Season One

While today's Season One launch will add plenty to Battlefield 6, there's actually two more updates planned for 2025. On November 18, there will be a new map, mode, and weapons. Then, on December 9, the Ice Lock event will start, blanketing the Empire State map in a blanket of snow.

Just 30 minutes until Battlefield REDSEC goes live!

Well, we now only have half an hour to wait until Battlefield REDSEC launches. Once it does, I'll be providing my early impressions of the new battle royale mode. Follow along live to see what I think!

What I'd love to see from the Battlefield battle royale mode

With the release of the new Battlefield 6 Battle Royale mode imminent, I'm hoping that EA hasn't made things too complicated at launch. I'd like a simple closing storm mechanic, a simple loot system, and a detailed map that stands on its own two feet. Of course, I'd expect the battle royale map to re-use some elements from the main game, but I'm hoping there's some new POIs as well.

Movement will be an interesting wrinkle, and I'm hoping that the actual feel of REDSEC matches the multiplayer modes. Shared progression, and a unified movement system are key for me to want to swap between the main two modes, and I'd love it if there was some kind of revive mechanic like how the Gulag works in Warzone.

Battlefield 6 Season One and REDSEC are now live!

Battlefield REDSEC Official Gameplay Trailer - YouTube

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The major update has landed, meaning you can now jump into Battlefield 6 Season One, as well as Battlefield: REDSEC. Stay tuned for my live impressions as I jump into the new battle royale mode.

And I'm queuing

There's already decent queues for Battlefield REDSEC. I was placed at position 4, 800, though that only took 30 seconds or so.

Battlefield REDSEC modes include Gauntlet, Duos, and Quads

Looks like there's 3 major modes for Battlefield REDSEC currently. Gauntlet is an objective based mode, while battle royale is

You get one redeploy per battle royale match

You drop into Battlefield REDSEC with a pistol, and must then loot weapons and complete missions to make it out alive. If you're downed, you get once chance to come back.

Jump into Battle Royale Initiation to learn the ropes

The Training Grounds area has been updated with Initiation Battle Royale. This is perfect for learning how REDSEC works, and has the following changes:

• This version of Fort Lyndon is significantly smaller than its full version. 
• Players who can access this mode are limited to newer players.
• A 48-player maximum, inclusive of Bots.

Here's the Battlefield REDSEC map

Fort Lyndon is the main map for Battlefield REDSEC. You can check it out in the image above. 46 players can drop in at one time, and there's squads of two or four currently.

Which Battlefield REDSEC class should you pick?

There are four classes to choose from in Battlefield: REDSEC, and they operate largely in the same way as they do in the base game. Here's info on each, so that you can decide which one's for you:

• Assault – The ultimate frontline fighter, skilled at punching through enemy defenses. Dominate close to mid-range encounters and limit the enemy’s ability to fight.
• Engineer – The battlefield’s leading vehicle and equipment technician. Execute repairs to keep allies combat effective, or strike hostile armor with force to break their attack.
• Support – The backbone of any combat unit for defense and sustained fighting. Heal and resupply friendly forces, while fortifying defensive positions to keep them protected.
• Recon – The perfect intelligence and counterintelligence operative. Neutralize targets from a distance, or infiltrate, gathering intel and disrupting hostile forces.

Okay, this Battle pass is a bit underwhelming

With the launch of Season One we also get our very first battle pass and, honestly, it hasn't made the best impression.

I know the developers are keen to avoid silly cosmetics here, but I think what's on offer is pretty boring.

Is anyone desperate to grind through level after level to get their hands on a skin that basically just boils down to a slightly different camo color?

Even the outfit you get for completing the entire pass is pretty mediocre.

PS5 players can claim a free Player Card Background

If you head to the Battlefield 6 or REDSEC in-game store, you'll find a free Player Card Background for PS5 players. The Plausible Deniability item is available for the next six days.

My first impressions of Battlefield: REDSEC

So far, I'm enjoying Battlefield REDSEC. It's extremely streamlined, in a way that reminds me of how battle royale games used to feel a few years back. The movement is slow, and you can't just vault your way up buildings. Shooting feels great, and the loot system is simple enough without needing extra inventories or menus. The map is noticeably less visually exciting than the multiplayer maps, but given the scale, it's acceptable. I'm excited to play more!

Gauntlet is very fun

Gauntlet puts you and your squad in a small area of the map to compete with others in different kinds of modes. You must be one of the top teams to progress, with four rounds in total. It's a blast so far.

You'll drop in as a squad, directed by your squad leader

In a similar way to how dropping-in works in Apex Legends, you'll drop in as a squad in formation in Battlefield REDSEC. Your squad leader will steer the whole team, but you can also break away and drop on your own if you so wish.

That's all for today!

I'm heading off now. I'll be jumping into Battlefield REDSEC this evening with some pals, trying out the Gauntlet mode and grinding for a new sniper rifle. I'll have updated impressions tomorrow morning.