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Battlefield Studios is making Battlefield 6 easier to play on Steam.
They shared this information on the FAQ:
Steam players will not need to use EA App to play Battlefield 6 but will need an EA account. Those who purchased Battlefield 6 via the Epic Games Store will need EA App and an EA account to play.
The FAQ also states that Battlefield 6 will not be supported on the Steam Deck.
What Does This Mean?
Battlefield 6 will be as easy to play on Steam as is Delta Force. Battlefield Studios has reduced the friction to encourage as many people to play the game as possible.
It is the latest sign that EA is giving Steam players the special treatment. We see that Epic Game Store players don’t get the same advantages. So, it’s clear that this is to encourage Steam users to play their games.
What About Steam Deck Support?
Bioware confirmed that Dragon Age: The Veilguard had support for Steam Deck. They went above and beyond to ensure this, by also removing the need to log on to the EA App. While Dragon Age: The Veilguard as a game did not meet everyone’s expectations, it showed that EA will support Steam Deck if they can.
In this case, there are reasons to believe Battlefield Studios could not support Battlefield 6 on the Steam Deck. There may be too much technical work needed to add it as a platform. Valve’s DRM and anit-cheat policies may also be hindering Battlefield Studios from doing so.
We think it is technically possible to make Battlefield 6 work on the Steam Deck. In fact, we expect a lot of modders and hackers will come up with ways to make it happen. But EA may not be able to justify the extra work needed to support the Steam Deck with constant updates in the long term. That’s especially true when you consider the potential player base.
If anything, it makes more sense for EA to port Battlefield 6 to the Switch 2. It may be even more work for Battlefield Studios to make that native port and keep supporting it. But there’s a better chance for that version to make money and gain a lot of players. That’s especially true given the Switch 2’s record breaking sales.
Does This Mean Battlefield Wins?
EA will do everything they can to make sure Battlefield 6 succeeds. Compared to how much they invested in the game, dropping the EA App is a minor issue. EA and Battlefield Studios really need to put most of that effort in the game itself. But this definitely tips the scales to their advantage.