Battlefield 6’s single-player campaign is under the microscope after new gameplay clips circulated showing non-player squadmates freezing or behaving strangely when the player moves past them.

The footage landed just as campaign previews went live alongside a State of Play trailer, prompting a wave of skepticism from fans who flagged AI and animation issues. While some hands-on impressions praised the campaign’s set-piece scale and challenge, the new clips have sharpened concerns around basic squad behavior weeks from release.

What the new gameplay shows

Several creator videos highlight NPC companions whose animations appear tied to the player’s position. In one widely shared clip, squadmates stop animating and stand idle once the player advances beyond them, then resume when the player returns or repositions. Community reactions characterize the behavior as immersion-breaking, particularly for a linear, narrative shooter where AI reliability underpins pacing and tension.

Given the timing, expectations for sweeping changes are tempered. With only a short runway to launch, the focus is more likely to be on targeted bug fixes rather than systemic AI overhauls.

Single-player development history

Battlefield 6’s campaign has had a bumpy path. It began at Ridgeline Games, a studio founded to build single-player Battlefield experiences. After studio lead Marcus Lehto departed in 2024, EA shuttered Ridgeline and shifted primary campaign development to Motive. That handoff, late in production by industry standards, adds context to the uneven AI behavior seen in recent clips and the broader uncertainty around the mode’s final polish.

Story setting and tone

The campaign’s narrative centers on conflict between remnants of NATO and a shadowy paramilitary organization called Pax Armata, which is financed by disaffected former NATO member states. Early previews point to a more grounded tone inspired by contemporary geopolitical tensions, with an emphasis on large-scale spectacle balanced by tighter, narrative-driven missions.

Release date and platforms

Battlefield 6 is scheduled to launch on October 10 for:

  • PlayStation 5
  • Xbox Series X/S
  • PC

With just over two weeks to go, sweeping campaign changes are unlikely. Stability and AI fixes are still plausible pre- and post-launch, but players hoping for a radical overhaul will need to moderate expectations. Meanwhile, multiplayer impressions remain broadly positive, with particular praise for destructive environments and the series’ trademark immersion.

All eyes now turn to launch week, where polished patches and real-world play will determine whether the campaign’s AI quirks are outliers or a persistent issue.