Battlefield 6 Season 1 has arrived, and player attention has immediately fixated on a significant problem: the new map, Blackwell Fields.
These California-inspired fields, the first post-launch map from EA and Battlefield Studios, are characterized by numerous oil pumpjacks, hazy hills, and a pervasive orange tint. Many players are already calling it “hands down the worst map in the game,” or even “the worst map in BF history.”
The Season 1 launch was anticipated to bring a wave of exciting moments for Battlefield enthusiasts. Instead, it has begun on a frustrating note, with fans universally criticizing Blackwell Fields as an exposed wasteland lacking adequate cover for both infantry and vehicles.
One frustrated Battlefield 6 player lamented, “I can’t count the amount of times I spawn on this map and instantly have direct vision of the enemies capturing points. You get shot at from every angle on this map, there’s never a break. People can just spawn and start shooting you straight away.”
Another popular comment highlighted the plight of other classes: “My playstyle is engineer class and I blow up armored vehicles, but I can’t even get into cover in this map without getting shot from ALL sides. The massive open areas make it a sniper haven, and every other class is just trashed.”
Battlefield 6’s Conquest mode appears to suffer most acutely on Blackwell Fields, with players reporting vulnerability to enemy fire from as far as their own HQ spawn points. Air vehicle pilots, in particular, are struggling on the new map. Despite being one of Battlefield 6’s larger offerings, skilled opponents can reportedly lock onto jets before they’ve even achieved lift-off.
A Reddit user sarcastically remarked, “This is fantastic. I was hoping for more maps where Helis are useless.” Another user jokingly added, “No no, they are perfect nice garage helicopters. You keep them nice and clean in the hangar. It’s not helicopter season yet.”
The balance issues plaguing Blackwell Fields exacerbate ongoing discussions about map sizes in Battlefield 6. Player dissatisfaction extends across game modes, as even downsized, objective-based versions of the map retain the problematic orange visuals, intensifying chaotic firefights within smoke-obscured environments.
A Steam user shared their experience: “I played a round of breakthrough which was decent and one of conquest which was a disaster. The visibility is already so bad in this game no matter what settings you use, the red/orange tint that this map has is a disaster.”
While a few isolated comments praise Blackwell Fields for its cinematic atmosphere, the overwhelming sentiment from players online suggests they would readily sacrifice aesthetic for improved gameplay. They desperately want BF Studios to address the perceived one-sided battles and oppressive gunfights. Given that Season 1 for Battlefield 6 just launched, opinions may still evolve as players spend more time on the map.
It remains uncertain whether Blackwell Fields will undergo changes, but EA and BF Studios have historically shown responsiveness to community feedback. Even if Blackwell Fields remains a contentious point, Season 1 will introduce a new, less orange map named Eastwood on November 18.
Since Battlefield 6’s launch on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and S on October 10, numerous updates have been implemented. These past adjustments include toned-down green highlights for a controversial skin and reverted ticket sizes for Conquest mode.
While addressing Battlefield 6 Season 1’s current challenges, the team is also continuing to update Battlefield REDSEC and its battle royale mode. The standalone experience, launched yesterday, is encountering its own set of problems, with players voicing concerns in Steam reviews about its battle pass and queue options.
For more details, consult our comprehensive list of all available Battlefield 6 multiplayer maps and our extensive multiplayer tips and tricks guide.