Surprising no one, the latest Battlefield 6 Labs playtest was live for just minutes this morning before leaks appeared across the internet. Players involved in the closed test were the first to experience two of the large maps coming with Battlefield 6: Operation Firestorm, a remake of the popular Battlefield 3 map, and Mirak Valley, the largest map revealed so far.
Despite every participant being required to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA), leaks from Battlefield 6 Labs have become routine. Before the game even had an official name, a full 15-minute match on Siege of Cairo was shared online, breaking NDA rules and exposing content long before EA planned.
EA’s Response and the NDA Debate
While Electronic Arts has eventually taken down most leaked videos and articles, the company has often been relatively slow in doing so. In some cases, leaks have remained online for days or even weeks before action was taken. This has led many to believe EA tolerates the leaks to some degree, as they generate hype and discussion around the game.
But the reality is simple: an NDA is a legally binding agreement. If you break it, you should face the consequences. EA has every right to remove leaked videos and articles, including ours if they choose. The agreement exists for a reason, and when players disregard it, it undermines the trust required to conduct meaningful playtests.
The Problem With Open Betas
The recurring leaks highlight a bigger issue with the way modern playtests and open betas are handled. Too often, companies invite large groups of players who either don’t understand or simply don’t care about the terms of the NDA. This is why the calls to stop with massive open betas are growing louder. Open beta’s are also a perfect hunting ground for flaws in the game, allowing to misuse these flaws to create hack menu’s or scripts for disadvantage during game-play. You guys have it seen with deadside. No one gived a f*ck, yet they kept wondering why there were uninvited guests on a password protected server, while the password was openly shared on discord.
For these playtests to succeed, studios need experts—people who can be trusted not to crack under pressure, not to leak content for clout, and who will respect the agreement they signed. Without that discipline, every test risks being spoiled online.
Leaks Fueling the Hype
Even so, it’s undeniable that leaks have played a role in driving Battlefield 6’s current hype. The excitement surrounding Operation Firestorm and Mirak Valley is now even greater because players know these maps are real and in testing. EA may not have wanted the footage to spread, but the community’s reaction shows why leaks are such a double-edged sword: they build hype, but they also damage trust.
