BF6 skipping PS4 and Xbox One. Is that a bad thing?

I will probably be not able to play it at launch then because new consoles are rarity here. I have placed my confidence in hope that old gen version comes out. I have no rush to advance.

It's a good thing in the long run. I wish BF4 had been developed only for next gen. The current console version really suffered because it was held back by older gen hardware. It'll definitely suck for people without next gen consoles but eventually everyone will catch up and be able to experience the Battlefield that DICE intended for everyone to play. 

Honestly I'm in two minds about BF6 potentially not coming to last gen. On one hand I'm worried I won't be able to get an Xbox Series X in time, they're in such short supply and demand is high, but on the other I can see the benefits of developing the game just for current gen. 

BF4 on PS4 and XB1 was held back how?  Those consoles received the superior versions of the game compared to BF4 released on the previous gen hardware in every way.  Developers build their games and then scale them back for weaker hardware. 

Also to add to the excellent point that Aqua_Piposaru made already.  How the heck are the devs going to make money on BF6 catering only to a super small install base for the newer consoles and PC?  They won't.  Assuming that I actually am impressed with what BF6 is.  I would buy a PS5 for this game, but as I realistically probably won't be able to get my hands on one this year.  I most likely will play BF6 on PC or on PS4 and XB1.  Platforms that I already have. 

I believe the likelihood of EA ignoring last-gen console sales is 0%. EA is a publicly traded for-profit company after all.

Last gen consoles will probably have smaller maps and a lower frame rate of 30 FPS for the $60 base game.

The free-to-play Battle Royale build will probably have dumbed down graphics and lower system requirements compared to the $60 base game, so last gen consoles can support larger Battle Royale modes.

I'm in the same position of not managing to get a PS5 yet. But the devs did try and suggest that a lot of the problems with BFV stemmed from old consoles holding them back (I'm not entirely convinced) and a dev also posted a video on twitter that he said showed you got a more stable connection to the online game with next gen consoles. So I think they probably will go next gen only and maybe backward a stand alone firestorm or use mobile to make up any difference.

If they try and do some early access/stepped release again it may be better value to wait anyway but also if it doesn't release till year end consoles may be easier to get by then.

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@OskooI_007 wrote:

I believe the likelihood of EA ignoring last-gen console sales is 0%. EA is a publicly traded for-profit company after all.

Last gen consoles will probably have smaller maps and a lower frame rate of 30 FPS for the $60 base game.

The free-to-play Battle Royale build will probably have dumbed down graphics and lower system requirements compared to the $60 base game, so last gen consoles can support larger Battle Royale modes.

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This.

There is no way the last gen consoles will be left behind while the installed base of next gen consoles is so small.

BF6 will support both console versions.

Many people have complained about 'a waste of rescourses' around Battlefield.

How much of a waste will it be to develop a 'toned down' version of BF6 for last gen and what are you willing to have 'missing' from next gen if they do?

How long will last gen be viable once next gen supply issues are resolved?

It would not surprise me in the least if there was no last gen version, indeed I hope there isn't.

It should be noted that I am one of those unfortunate souls that is yet to acquire a PS5 and I reluctantly accept that there will be no BF6 for me till I do. 

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@Trokey66 wrote:

Many people have complained about 'a waste of rescourses' around Battlefield.

How much of a waste will it be to develop a 'toned down' version of BF6 for last gen and what are you willing to have 'missing' from next gen if they do?

How long will last gen be viable once next gen supply issues are resolved?

It would not surprise me in the least if there was no last gen version, indeed I hope there isn't.

It should be noted that I am one of those unfortunate souls that is yet to acquire a PS5 and I reluctantly accept that there will be no BF6 for me till I do. 

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Well from a development perspective, it makes sense to only support the latest generation.  I was saying from a marketing and sales perspective, it might not work to leave last gen behind.  If the installed base of next gen consoles is small when the game drops, it will mean you can only sell to that small base.  

Maybe by the time the game drops there will be a large enough base of next gen consoles to support a next gen only release.  There will be some tipping point where that will work.  If for instance the game dropped right now and only supported next gen, then game sales would by abysmal until the next gen installed base catches up.  .  However maybe if it drops late in the year or better yet, next year, there will be enough next gen consoles to support it.

It will be a strategic decision, based on how much additional development effort is required to support last gen and how many more sales dollars can be made by supporting last gen.  

The longer they wait to drop the game, the better off they will be focusing only on next gen.  So unfortunately, this gives them incentive to wait to drop the game.