EA and Battlefield Studios have kicked off Thanksgiving week with one of their biggest player-focused pushes yet: the first Battlefield 6 free trial. Running from November 25 to December 2, the event invites PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X | S, and PC players to experience a full week of multiplayer mayhem without spending a cent. For anyone curious about the franchise’s latest evolution—or simply wondering whether its explosive combat lives up to the hype—this week is shaping up to be the ideal entry point. Here’s a complete breakdown of everything players need to know about the Battlefield 6 free trial and why it’s becoming one of the biggest FPS events of the season.

According to EA, Battlefield 6 represents the most successful launch in the franchise’s history. General manager Byron Beede noted that the team is “tremendously excited about the community’s passion” and sees the free trial as a natural extension of that momentum. It is both a victory lap and an open invitation to new players, giving everyone access to the core multiplayer experience that has already earned widespread praise.

A Closer Look at What the Free Trial Includes

Players joining the free trial gain access to three primary playlists: Initiation Breakthrough, Close Quarters Battle, and All-Out Warfare. Each list is crafted to give newcomers a structured way to learn, experiment, and eventually thrive on the battlefield.

Initiation Breakthrough eases new recruits into Battlefield 6’s dynamic combat by blending up to 48 players with bots across objective-driven encounters. It’s designed to teach pacing, positioning, and teamwork without plunging players directly into the deep end.

Close Quarters Battle speeds things up dramatically, focusing on tight layouts, rapid engagements, and twitch-heavy modes such as Team Deathmatch and Sabotage. This playlist rewards quicker reflexes and aggressive players looking for a more immediate thrill.

All-Out Warfare lets players experience the game unrestricted. Conquest, Escalation, and Breakthrough modes feature the largest maps available in the free trial, allowing players to dive into the massive, multi-lane engagements that define the Battlefield identity. Maps like Siege of Cairo, Blackwell Fields, and Eastwood are all included, giving trial players a genuine feeling for the game’s scale.

Progression Carries Over, and RedSec Players Benefit Even More

EA has also confirmed that player progress carries over from the free trial into the full game. Anyone who previously played Battlefield REDSEC, the free-to-play companion title released last month, will automatically see their unlocked rewards and character progress reflected in Battlefield 6. This also works in reverse; new progress earned during the free trial will transfer directly if the player decides to upgrade to the full version.

Those who log in to either Battlefield 6 or REDSEC before November 30 will also receive the Lethal Force Weapon Package at no cost, adding another incentive to join the action early.

For players who routinely buy digital add-ons, it is worth remembering that Buy Xbox Live Key can sometimes offer a cheaper way to redeem full game access or in-game currency when regional deals pop up.

The Rise of RedSec and the New Gauntlet Mode

One of the biggest additions to the Battlefield ecosystem is RedSec, Battlefield Studios’ free-to-play battle royale. Launching only weeks after Battlefield 6, RedSec quickly built a strong player base and even spawned a new mode: Gauntlet.

Gauntlet is designed as an accessible entry point for players who might not feel comfortable with the high-pressure nature of traditional battle royale formats. Each match consists of eight squads of four competing across five rounds of randomized objective-based game types. These battles take place in smaller, enclosed sections of the Fort Lyndon map, ensuring fast rotations and consistent engagements.

According to Senior Game Designer Isabel Conde, Gauntlet was built to bridge new players into the full Battlefield experience by reducing pressure while maintaining the tactical depth. Creative Director Thomas Andersson added that classes in Gauntlet are identical to those used in multiplayer, further strengthening the connection between modes.

The mode is already being expanded, with a winter variant of the Empire State map set to arrive soon. This update will be the first time RedSec integrates a map from the main game, complete with a curated sequence of missions and narrative elements.

Battlefield 6 Continues to Evolve

Since its launch on October 10, 2025, Battlefield 6 has received consistent updates ranging from lighting improvements to bug fixes and new content. Season 1 brought additions like Blackwell Fields and Eastwood, and the developers show no signs of slowing down. The game’s early success has already pushed it to achieve the best sales month for any title in the United States over the past three years.

With the free trial underway and the holiday shopping season bringing steep discounts, players have multiple ways to jump in. Many players also take advantage of PSN Gift Cards during seasonal sales as a flexible way to purchase discounted games or DLC.

Final Thoughts

Battlefield 6 has hit an impressive stride. Between the free trial week, regular content updates, the growing popularity of RedSec, and the expanding Gauntlet mode, EA has set the stage for one of the strongest Battlefield years in recent memory. With progress carrying over, a limited-time weapon pack available, and the full game temporarily half-price, this week gives players everything they need to try, test, and decide for themselves. If you have been waiting for the right time to jump in, Thanksgiving week may be exactly that moment.