Battlefield 6 UI: The UI controversy and the player's redesign concept

This article explores the ongoing discussion surrounding the user interface of the Battlefield 6 open beta, highlighting player dissatisfaction with its streaming service-inspired design and suggesting alternative approaches for an improved gaming experience.\n

Navigating the Interface Labyrinth: Battlefield 6's UI Under Scrutiny

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Initial Impressions and Player Discontent with the Interface

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Upon launching the Battlefield 6 open beta, many players, including myself, were immediately struck by the main menu's resemblance to a popular streaming platform. The layout, characterized by numerous horizontal tiles, felt more suited for browsing television series than for efficiently accessing game modes. This design choice extends throughout the game, impacting loadout customization and settings, making simple actions like weapon swapping unnecessarily cumbersome, particularly for PC users relying on a mouse.

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The Widespread Frustration with the Current Design

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It's clear that this interface style has not been well-received. The community has voiced strong opinions, ranging from general dislike to theories about the design's underlying purpose. A major point of contention is how popular game types, such as "closed weapons modes," are often relegated to the far right of the menu, requiring excessive scrolling to even become visible. This design choice raises questions about accessibility and player convenience.

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Developer Responses and Limited Adjustments

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The game's creative director has indicated that the development team is receptive to feedback, suggesting that the UI isn't rigidly coded and can be altered swiftly. While some minor adjustments have been made during the beta, primarily involving playlist organization and the introduction of a custom playlist tool, these changes fall short of the comprehensive overhaul many players are hoping for. There's a palpable desire for a more fundamental redesign rather than superficial tweaks.

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Community-Driven Redesigns and the Quest for Simplicity

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Among the many fan-generated concepts, one particular redesign by a Reddit user stands out. This concept reverts to a vertical menu structure, reminiscent of earlier titles in the series, and streamlines the loadout screen. It manages to be both aesthetically pleasing and significantly more user-friendly than the current iteration, emphasizing simplicity and direct access to options.

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The Future of In-Game Interfaces and Battlefield's Direction

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Considering the prevailing trend of tile-based interfaces in modern gaming, a design frequently criticized in other major franchises, it seems plausible that this UI might be a permanent fixture. While the in-game heads-up display (HUD) is generally well-executed, it lacks the distinctive visual flair of previous Battlefield titles. For instance, the unique heart-rate-style health bar from Battlefield 3, a beloved feature, is unlikely to make a comeback, signaling a shift in the series' design philosophy.