Battlefield 6: Why UAE gamers say the FPS franchise is back in 2025

Khaleej Times

2 days ago

For more than a decade, Battlefield has been chasing the high of its golden years. The early 2010s saw Battlefield 3 and Battlefield 4 redefine what large-scale, cinematic first-person shooters could be. But the years since have been rocky, most notably with the polarising Battlefield 2042, which left even diehard fans wondering if the series had lost its way.
Now, EA and DICE are ready to change that narrative with Battlefield 6, launching on October 10, 2025 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. And if the beta is any indication, they've returned and rebuilt the popular game from the ground up for a new era of shooters.
Across the UAE, from casual players to top-ranked competitors and full-time gaming creators, the reaction has been overwhelmingly positive. For many, it's the FPS event of 2025.
According to the official synopsis, the game is set in 2027 amid global political upheaval. Battlefield 6 drops players into flashpoints across the world: the sun-baked streets of Cairo, the cliffside fortresses of Gibraltar, the vertical chaos of New York skyscrapers, and the rugged terrain of Tajikistan. Each map reacts to the fight.
Dynamic weather systems mean a sandstorm can roll in mid-match, obscuring vision and forcing squads to rethink their approach. Buildings can crumble under sustained fire, changing the available cover. A once-secure rooftop sniping spot might vanish in seconds. The upgraded Frostbite engine is more than flexing with these features.
For Bibi Zumot, a Dubai-based FPS gamer, that unpredictability is what's making him lose track of time in the best way possible.
'One second you're running through a sandstorm, next second you're in a full-on tank battle,' he says. 'Gunplay feels crispy, movement's smooth, and the sound made my headset literally shake. This is the kind of shooter that makes you forget time — you just keep saying 'one more match' for six hours straight.'
His standout moment? Watching a skyscraper collapse in the middle of the game. 'My jaw just dropped,' he says. 'It's pure chaos, but the good kind — the kind that makes Battlefield unique.'
Bigger battles, smarter systems
The series' trademark 128-player battles return, making every match feel like a war movie in progress. The revamped class system — Assault, Recon, Support, and Engineer — gives each role distinct gadgets, signature weapons, and training paths, while improved vehicle handling means tanks, helicopters, and jets feel more responsive and impactful than ever.
For Mazen Al Haj, who splits his streaming hours between Fortnite, Call of Duty, CS:GO, and now Battlefield 6, the beta felt like a statement of intent.
'It's got that raw war game vibe that pulls you right in,' Mazen says. 'The battles feel epic, the new weapon customisation system is smoother, and my chat went crazy during streams. It reminded me why I fell in love with FPS games in the first place.'
If there's a common thread among long-time players, it's relief. Relief that Battlefield 6 feels like Battlefield again. Relief that the series has embraced gritty realism, team-focused strategy, and large-scale destruction instead of chasing fleeting trends.
Kareem Ellithy (Kyotwo) — a lifelong gamer who's played on everything from an Atari knockoff to a high-end PC — sums it up bluntly:
'It's basically old-school true and awesome Battlefield with modern graphics and gameplay,' Kareem says. 'It's tuned to a T, and any Milsim (short for military simulation) fan will be overjoyed. For old fans, this is a real return to form.'
For Akash, who's played every Battlefield since the early 2000s, it's the closest the franchise has come to the magic of BF3 and BF4 in over a decade. 'The dream has been simple,' he says. 'Bring back the large-scale warfare, gritty realism, and explosive fun. Battlefield 6 does exactly that.'
The FPS rivalry is back
The Call of Duty vs Battlefield rivalry has been part of gaming culture for nearly two decades, and according to Bashar Kayyal, one of Dubai's most prominent FPS influencers, Battlefield 6 has reignited it.
'It's shaping up to be one of the best shooters of 2025,' Bashar says. 'Every match delivers that adrenaline rush fans have been waiting for. When these two franchises push each other, gamers win.'
While plenty of shooters promise immersion, few deliver it like Battlefield 6. From the hyper-detailed lighting to the way audio cues can pinpoint the location of a firefight, every element is designed to pull players deeper into the fight.
For Sultan Khalifa, an Emirati gamer who ranked in the Top 100 worldwide in Battlefield 2042, the difference was immediate.
'The graphics, the lighting, the weather effects — it's so realistic you feel like you're really there,' Sultan explains. 'Every explosion has weight, every bullet sounds different, and you can tell exactly where things are just from the audio. Strategy matters here — when it clicks with your squad, it's the best feeling in the world.'
For him, it's about depth. 'You can't just run and gun. You have to think, adapt, and work with your team. That's what keeps me coming back.'
The UAE gaming community is rallying around the game. Streamers are seeing spikes in viewership, competitive players are planning leaderboard climbs, and casual fans are rediscovering the thrill of all-out warfare.
With the open beta returning August 14–17, the hype is set to grow even louder. The first weekend's test drew over half a million players worldwide, and with tweaks already made based on feedback — from map flow adjustments to class balance — makers are signalling that it's listening to its community.
That, naturally, has brought about a shared sentiment among streamers and gamers across the world. That "Battlefield is back.'