Battlefield 6 is going all-in on eSports with the launch of the Redsec Elite Series, a new global tournament backed by a $1 million prize pool. At the same time, update 1.1.2.0 rolled out this week, delivering a new map, weapon tweaks, and a fresh limited-time mode. But as EA and Battlefield Studios ramp up the competitive push, not everyone in the community is cheering.
Redsec Elite Series aims to reshape Battlefield 6 competitive play
Set to begin on December 10, 2025, the Redsec Elite Series will feature 50 squads in each of three regions: Americas, EMEA, and APAC. The event kicks off with six matches in Redsec Battle Royale mode. From there, the top eight teams advance to Gauntlet mode, a high-stakes elimination format designed to push coordination and survival to the limit.
The prize pool? Over $1 million, split across the three regional finals. Executive Producer Christian Grass says the team built the tournament with community input and true Battlefield DNA.
Battlefield 6 Open Series offers casual players a shot at the big leagues
Alongside the Elite Series, the Open Series begins on December 12, offering a low-barrier path to competition for non-professional players. Teams can register via Repeat.gg and accumulate points over time. Top performers from the Open Series will have a chance to qualify for the Elite bracket, creating a rare crossover between casual and competitive players.
Both events are cross-platform and cross-input, allowing mouse/keyboard and controller players to compete together.
Battlefield 6 update 1.1.2.0 introduces new map and content drop
To align with the tournament rollout, update 1.1.2.0 went live on Tuesday. It includes:
- New map: Eastwood, set in Southern California
- New weapons: DB-12 shotgun and M357 Trait Sidearm
- New mode: Sabotage – a demolition-focused, high-pressure limited-time mode
- Vehicles: Tanks, helicopters, and golf carts in Conquest and Portal Builder
- Aim assist changes: Reverted to open beta settings for better long-range control
This patch also improves frame rates by up to 20%, depending on platform and resolution.
Redsec’s rise creates tension among Battlefield 6 core fans
Despite all the excitement, not every Battlefield 6 player is thrilled. Some argue that Redsec, the free battle royale spin-off, is getting more attention than the full-priced main game. Comments on Reddit and X point to a widening gap in content quality: Redsec gets expansive, destructible maps, while paid players are stuck with smaller, less dynamic environments.
Others are fed up with aggressive Battle Pass pop-ups and promotional clutter in the main menu. The fact that a free-to-play mode is now the centerpiece of EA’s eSports push with a seven-figure prize pool has stirred resentment among players who paid $70 or more for the base game.
Can Battlefield 6 recover goodwill or is Redsec the new focus?
The Redsec Elite Series might draw headlines, but for some longtime fans, it feels like a signal that Redsec is now the flagship, not Battlefield 6 itself. Whether patch 1.1.2.0 and the new tournament format are enough to calm the backlash remains to be seen. One thing’s clear: EA is betting big on Redsec, but it may be leaving its most loyal players behind in the process.
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