Battlefield 6 devs address backlash over unrealistic skins

Battlefield Studios — the team of four developers behind Battlefield 6 — has reassured fans that the upcoming game will remain a “gritty, realistic shooter,” firmly distancing itself from over-the-top cosmetics seen in other franchises. As Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 backtracks on its own cosmetic direction following major backlash, Battlefield’s developers are making it clear: they’re not turning into Fortnite.

In an interview with IGN, technical director Christian Buhl said the team is “happy with where we are,” emphasizing that Battlefield will stick to realism and not chase the more “goofy” tone embraced by games like Fortnite. “We’re a gritty, grounded, realistic shooter,” Buhl stated. Senior console combat designer Matthew Nickerson added that while the team is aware of industry trends, “we’re not chasing other products.”

The comment comes as Battlefield 2042 sees updates and a new “Road to Battlefield 6” Battle Pass — which Nickerson pointed to as a good example of the kind of skins players can expect going forward. According to him, these cosmetics are a “taste of what’s to come” in Battlefield 6.

This stance is in sharp contrast to Call of Duty, which recently walked back its decision to allow cosmetic Carry Forward from previous titles after receiving harsh criticism. Players argued that the inclusion of unrealistic skins in otherwise grounded military games was hurting immersion.

Still, not all Battlefield fans are convinced. A recently leaked skin featuring a soldier with a neon green-lined uniform raised concerns about whether the franchise might still drift toward unrealistic cosmetics. While it’s far from the wildest examples seen in other shooters, some in the community are warning against a “slippery slope” and urging the studio to stick to its grounded roots.