Battlefield 6 beta's custom search only intensifies calls for a server browser

Barring an actual server browser for the Battlefield 6 beta, its new custom search feature is the next best thing, but EA's Battlefield Studios confirms that it's leading to "unusual wait times." The addition was introduced as a way to give everyone more control over their matches for the second open beta weekend. But with players waiting up to four or five minutes to get into games despite the test's record-breaking numbers, the delays have only furthered calls for BF6 to deliver a traditional server browser as soon as possible.

"We have been monitoring unusual wait times when using the custom search feature to find matches," the Battlefield 6 communications account posts via social media. Introduced for the second weekend of the ongoing Battlefield 6 beta, it's designed as a stopgap to allow you to select your preference of modes and maps when heading into matchmaking. Unfortunately, it's proving another thorn in the developer's side, even as the playtest's popularity suggests BF6 could rank as one of the best FPS games to come from the series in years.

The ability to hand-select exactly which server you wanted to join was a core part of the experience when I was playing Battlefield the most, back in the days of Bad Company 2 and BF3. Unfortunately, there's nothing resembling a server browser in the current beta. The best we have is the custom search tool, which is certainly a serious improvement over having no control about which Battlefield 6 maps you are queued into, but that's causing its own problems.

"Our ongoing investigations reveal that some users experience wait times of 4-5 minutes, depending on the mode and map selected," the 'Battlefield Comms' account writes. It explains, "Custom search prioritizes filling matches to near capacity. Due to the record numbers during open beta, matches are filling quickly. If custom search cannot match you within a certain time, it will attempt to create a new match. This process takes 4-5 minutes to maximize the chance of finding the most suitable scenarios first."

The developer adds that this is more likely to affect players that are grouping up before queuing, "as that search becomes tighter due to having to fit more people into a match." The team says it "is working towards improving this experience and trying to get wait times down from five minutes during the open beta, with an outlook towards fully resolving this for launch and bringing reliability of the experience to the custom search function."

Rather predictably, almost all of the responses to the post say that this news is yet another case for why a server browser is preferable. Battlefield 6 feels, in many ways, a return to the series' heyday, so adopting similar methods for finding matches would certainly feel appropriate. Battlefield Studios has previously said that a server browser "will be available at launch," although there's no indication whether we'll get to test it in a public form before the Battlefield 6 release date arrives.

Prior to the first beta weekend, DICE producer Alexia Christofi asked players what they wanted to see from a server browser. After collecting responses, she then wrote, "I think our server browser solution answers all these wants. Yes, it's via portal and shows community experiences, but these can award full XP, will be front and center in our main menu, not hidden, and will allow you to filter and search for specific things you want." Until we see it in action, however, questions are certain to continue flying.

If you're jumping into the action this weekend, we've rounded up the best Battlefield 6 weapons. You can also check in with the best Battlefield 6 settings for PC and Steam Deck to get your game running as smoothly as possible.

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