Battlefield 6 Plagued With Bots? Developer Reply Has Fans Questioning Everything

Battlefield 6 has come under fire this week after players in the open beta reported widespread encounters with AI bots during online multiplayer sessions. The controversy surfaced after users noticed what appeared to be non-human opponents in matches outside of training playlists. In response, developer DICE issued a clarification about how and where bots are implemented in the game, but the explanation has only led to more questions from the Battlefield community.

DICE Confirms Bots Will Be Used Only in a Specific Mode

According to Taiwanese outlet GNN, Battlefield 6 will use AI bots to fill underpopulated servers. 'The way the game uses AI is that when the server is not full, AI will be added to fill the gap', said Development Director Anna Narrevik. The goal is to minimise waiting times and ensure players can enter matches without delay. When enough real players are available, bots are intended to be removed or replaced automatically.

However, in a more recent announcement, DICE clarified that bots appear only in the 'Training Grounds' playlist during the open beta. This mode, called 'Breakthrough Initiation', is tailored for new players ranked between level 1 and 15. The training setting uses bots exclusively to help less experienced users adjust to gameplay mechanics before entering full multiplayer matches.

'AI Soldiers are only present on the "Training Grounds" playlists within the Open Beta', reads the statement posted on X by Battlefield Comms. 'Training Grounds playlists are here to introduce people to the core elements of Breakthrough, and offer a smoother experience than a full lobby'.

The statement also shared that 'only available for the first 15 ranks' and will disappear from the front end after exceeding the rank.

Bots Are Appearing in Other Match Types, Say Players

Despite DICE's attempt to clarify, many players claim they are encountering bots in regular multiplayer matches, not just in Training Grounds or underpopulated servers. On platforms like Reddit and Twitter, Battlefield fans are expressing concern that bots may be more widespread than DICE is admitting.

Players also pointed out that without a traditional server browser or scoreboard, it is difficult to tell whether opponents are human or AI-controlled.

This uncertainty is fuelling frustration among competitive players who want full transparency on how matches are populated.

Community Concerns Echo Battlefield 2042 Backlash

The current backlash is reminiscent of Battlefield 2042's bot-related controversy. In that title, bots remained in matches even after full player capacity was reached, leading to criticism that DICE was inflating player counts artificially. Many players fear that Battlefield 6 may be following a similar path, especially with vague communication about bot integration.

Critics argue that without an option to disable bots or monitor their presence via public lobby tools, players are left guessing who they're really fighting in each match.

What Remains Unclear from DICE's Response

As of now, DICE has not provided specific details regarding the maximum number of bots that can be present in a single game. The developer also has not clarified whether bots are used in ranked or competitive matchmaking, or if they will be present in private servers.

The ambiguity surrounding these elements continues to raise questions among players ahead of Battlefield 6's full release. Many are calling for greater transparency and a dedicated server browser to prevent the confusion seen in previous Battlefield titles.