Battlefield 6 to Bypass EA App on Steam, Epic Games Store Users Not So Lucky

A Tale of Two Launchers: Disparate Paths for Battlefield 6 Players

The Ubiquitous Nature of Game Launchers

In today's digital gaming ecosystem, players frequently find themselves navigating a multitude of launchers, each vying for a space on their taskbar. Beyond prominent platforms like Steam and Battle.net, an array of proprietary clients such as Ubisoft Connect, the Epic Games Store, GOG Galaxy, Xbox, EA, and the Paradox Launcher often contribute to a cluttered digital environment. This fragmentation frequently leads to frustration, with users often experiencing intermittent login issues and data collection practices.

Battlefield 6's Platform Policy Revealed

A significant development for the gaming community is the clarification of Battlefield 6's platform requirements. According to EA's official fact sheet, players who purchase Battlefield 6 through Steam will not be required to install or use the EA App to access the game, though an EA account will still be necessary. Conversely, those who opt to acquire Battlefield 6 via the Epic Games Store will find themselves needing both an EA account and the EA App to play. This divergence in policy creates a distinct advantage for Steam users.

Unexplained Discrepancies in Application Requirements

The rationale behind EA's decision to exempt Steam users from the EA App while mandating it for Epic Games Store users remains largely unaddressed. EA's only explanation is that the EA App facilitates player progress tracking and enables easy sharing of gameplay statistics with friends. However, this justification fails to fully explain the platform-specific requirement, especially considering the frequent performance issues and user complaints associated with the EA App, including persistent login demands, crashes, and unreliable achievement tracking.

Anticipating Player Response to Recent Decisions

This latest announcement follows a pattern of decisions from EA that have been met with cautious optimism from the gaming community. Previously, EA garnered positive feedback by confirming the inclusion of classic class weapons in the Battlefield 6 beta, a reversal from an earlier stance that had caused considerable player discontent. The exemption of Steam users from the EA App requirement for Battlefield 6 is another step that appears to align with player preferences, potentially setting a new expectation for future game releases from the publisher.