EA will soon launch a new Battlefield 6 free trial that gives players a taste of the Hagental Base map and Nightfall mode set to arrive in next week’s Season 2 update.
The publisher announced the news today, promising to allow those hesitant to purchase the full game to try out a selection of its multiplayer maps and modes by downloading the free-to-play REDSEC experience. This latest free trial begins March 17 at 5am PT / 8 am ET and will run for one week before coming to an end March 24 at the same time.
As the beginning of the trial period coincides with the release of the Season 2: Nightfall update, the slice of Battlefield 6 it offers will come with some new content. This includes a playlist featuring the lights-out version of the new Hagental Base map with Team Deathmatch, Squad Deathmatch, and Domination modes. In the limited-time mode, also called Nightfall, Hagental Base goes dark, with players tasked with competing against other teams by using tools like night vision goggles and incendiary grenades to see.
The Nightfall playlist focuses on new Season 2 content, but free trial players can also enjoy previously released content via two other playlists: All-Out Warfare and Casual Breakthrough. The latter is Battlefield Studios’ introductory playlist, offering matches mixed with real players and bots across Season 2 map Contaminated, Season 1 map Eastwood, and Hagental Base. The former is set up as a traditional Battlefield 6 experience, with Conquest, Breakthrough, and Escalation available to play across Eastwood, Mirak Valley, Contaminated, and Hagental Base.
Battlefield 6’s March free trial – the game’s second since its October 2025 launch for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X | S – arrives amidst a tumultuous time for the EA shooter. Following a rough patch that saw BF Studios begin 2026 with displeased fans and a delayed second season, the publisher announced layoffs across the four-studio team that makes up the Battlefield-focused group. With Nightfall set to arrive next week and the Hunter/Prey update scheduled for April 14, Season 2 represents yet another moment for the team to attempt to reclaim some of the player numbers it saw at launch.
If you’re interested in jumping into Battlefield 6 during the new free trial, be sure to check out our 8/10 multiplayer review. You can also read up on our interview with studio design director Justin Wiebe to learn more about how BF Studios is taking fan feedback into consideration.
Michael Cripe is a freelance writer with IGN. He’s best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).
