For months, fans of the popular first-person shooter series have been deeply concerned about the size of maps in the highly anticipated Battlefield 6. Now, a dedicated group of players has taken matters into their own hands, undertaking a monumental effort to measure and compare nearly every multiplayer map from the last 15 years of the franchise.
This extensive breakdown of Battlefield map sizes is a collaborative project led by Reddit users ClaraTheRed and PENGUINonPC. Their analysis covers multiplayer battlefields from Battlefield 3, Battlefield 4, Battlefield: Hardline, Battlefield 1, Battlefield 2042, and, most recently, Battlefield 6.
Their findings present a comprehensive view, offering side-by-side comparisons of maps organized by game mode and player count, alongside insightful color-coded bar graphs that illustrate the evolution of EA’s map design philosophy over the years.
A detailed Reddit post titled “Updated: Battlefield maps from BF3, BF4, BF:HL, BF1, BF2042 and BF6. A scale comparison” by u/ClaraTheRed in the Battlefield subreddit showcases the full analysis.
ClaraTheRed detailed the sheer scale of their undertaking, revealing that they spent over 45 hours on this project during a single weekend. The result is a stunning 72-map comparison across six games, which paints a clear picture: Battlefield 6’s maps generally do not match the colossal scale of some of the series’ most iconic battlegrounds.
While many of Battlefield 6’s smaller maps, such as Iberian Offensive or Siege of Cairo, are comparable in size to maps found in Battlefield 3 and Battlefield 1, its larger offerings consistently fall within the medium-sized category of the maps analyzed. Previous titles like Battlefield 3 and Battlefield 2042 featured some truly massive maps, but Battlefield 6 currently lacks a single map that ranks among the top 20 largest in the series. Even its biggest map, Operation Firestorm – a reimagined version of a Battlefield 3 classic – ranks only 32nd in total shared playable area and 22nd in overall map area.
These are numbers the Battlefield community is quickly reacting to, though it’s important to consider a few factors. This analysis doesn’t include every map from the series; for instance, data for 2018’s Battlefield V proved challenging to collect, leading to its omission. Additionally, Battlefield maps are often known for dynamic changes during gameplay, such as “Levolution” events and environmental hazards that can alter the play area, aspects considered in parts of this study. It’s also worth noting that all included games, except Battlefield 6, are complete works with all their DLC, while Battlefield 6 itself only launched a month ago.
An embedded video related to Battlefield 6’s Season 1 gameplay trailer was originally presented here.
EA and Battlefield Studios are actively releasing updates for their latest Battlefield title. Season 1 recently introduced a new medium-sized map called Blackwell Fields, with another named Eastwood expected later this month. There’s also Battlefield REDSEC, a separate title with connections to the Battlefield 6 universe, which also launched last week. Its map, Fort Lyndon, has been touted by EA as “the biggest Battlefield map ever.” However, many in the community view it as a distinct battle royale map tied to REDSEC, rather than a direct offering for Battlefield 6 itself.
Since the August beta tests, Battlefield 6 players have been vocal about their desire for larger maps, a sentiment that continues as EA and BF Studios develop post-launch content. This ongoing debate has ignited passionate discussions within the community, with some players defending Battlefield 6’s current map selection, while others resort to “review-bombing” to voice their dissatisfaction with map sizes and other issues.
ClaraTheRed clarified the intent behind their rigorous work: “The two of us are not here to complain about map sizes in BF6 (although we do have our opinions on them), but we’re here to provide context and show that Battlefield maps throughout the last decade and a half have varied in size by a tremendous amount.”
A slideshow featuring Battlefield REDSEC Fort Lyndon screenshots was originally presented here.
As future seasons roll out, Battlefield 6 players will undoubtedly continue to scrutinize new maps. For now, players can explore available content, investigate hidden rooms for Easter Eggs, or review multiplayer tips and tricks to hone their skills.
Michael Cripe is a freelance writer with IGN. He’s best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP.