‘Battlefield 1’ Beta Early Access Hits PS4, Xbox One, And PC, Open Beta Drops Wednesday [Update]


The Battlefield 1 beta went live Tuesday on the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC for those that signed up to be a Battlefield Insider. Electronic Arts sent out codes to gain early access to the beta before it opens up to everyone on Wednesday, August 31.

Early access codes to the Battlefield 1 beta were sent via email, as confirmed by users in the game’s Reddit community and this writer’s own inbox. Those that signed up for the free Battlefield Insider email list should check their “Promotions” or “Spam” folders in the event they have trouble finding it. It will also help to whitelist the Battlefield1@e.ea.com email address to ensure it doesn’t get buried in a spam folder.

The beta weighs in at approximately 6 GB to 8 GB depending on the platform, with the Origin PC download being the largest. Xbox One owners should be aware that an Xbox LIVE Gold subscription is necessary to participate in the beta, while PS4 owners will not need a PlayStation Plus subscription. This is standard fare for both consoles when it comes to betas of any type.

The beta will be available to download for all PS4, Xbox One, and PC owners on Wednesday, August 31. Update: The open beta is now live on all platforms and will run through Thursday, September 8.

The action in the Battlefield 1 open beta will take place solely on the Sinai Desert map. Located just east of El-Jifar, ground infantry will battle it out in the narrow streets of the Bir el Mazar village while tanks, vehicles, and even horses do battle across the nearby dunes. Meanwhile, the skies will be full of dogfights between World War I era bi-planes, some of which have a rear mounted machine gun for a co-pilot.

Players will also get to experience this map’s version of the Levolution events introduced in Battlefield 4. A massive sandstorm will race across the Sinai Desert, reducing visibility to near zero at certain points.

A huge collection of World War I-era weapons will be available to unlock and try. This includes multiple types of rifles, handguns, shotguns, melee weapons, grenades, and more. Tanks will be available to drive, along with horses and bi-planes.

A new mechanic introduced with Battlefield 1 is the addition of Behemoths. In the case of the Sinai Desert map, this is an armored train that drives through the map hailing down artillery fire and running over anything unlucky enough to get in its way. The opposing side will have to attempt to blow up the Behemoth to prevent losing. Other Behemoths for other maps include a giant airships and possibly battleships planted off the coast.

Battlefield 1 (PS4, Xbox One, PC)
[Image via Electronic Arts]
Two familiar modes will be available to play for those that jump into the Battlefield 1 open beta – Conquest and Rush. Here are the official descriptions of each:

  • An all-time fan favorite of Battlefield players, Conquest is a large-scale game mode with up to 64 players fighting for the control of key objectives. With large armies on foot or behind the wheel and the addition of fearsome Behemoths, Conquest brings together all the elements of the signature Battlefield All-Out War.
  • A 24-player mode where the Attacking force must find and destroy the Defending force’s Telegraph Posts, which can be used to call in artillery strikes. The Defenders can deny the Attackers their mission by disarming explosives they plant on the telegraph positions. Should the Telegraph Posts be destroyed, the Defenders must fall back to the next sector and protect the Telegraph Posts there.

Battlefield 1 is set for an October 18 release for those that pre-order the $80 Early Enlister Deluxe Edition for the PS4, Xbox One, and PC. Those that decide on the Battlefield 1 Standard Edition for $60 will receive the game on Friday, October 21.

[Image via Battlefield/Electronic Arts]

Share this article: ‘Battlefield 1’ Beta Early Access Hits PS4, Xbox One, And PC, Open Beta Drops Wednesday [Update]
More from Inquisitr