Good News, Steam Players: You Can Skip the EA App for Battlefield 6
In the ever-annoying landscape of PC gaming, there’s no greater sigh of resignation than buying a game on one digital storefront only to find it forces you to install and run a second, proprietary launcher from the publisher. It’s a tedious, resource-hogging practice we’ve all come to despise. So, in a rare bit of good news, EA has clarified the situation for the upcoming Battlefield 6, and for Steam users at least, the news is surprisingly positive.
The Tale of Two Storefronts
According to a newly published FAQ on the official Battlefield 6 website, the requirement to use the often-maligned EA App will depend entirely on where you choose to purchase the game on PC.
Steam Gets a Pass
For the millions of players who will inevitably buy the game through Steam, you can breathe a sigh of relief. The FAQ explicitly confirms that Steam players will not need to use the EA App to play Battlefield 6. This is a significant win, removing a potential layer of technical nonsense, login headaches, and one more piece of software running in the background. Of course, you’re not getting off completely scot-free. The FAQ also states that you will still need an EA account to play the game. They have to keep you tethered to their ecosystem somehow, after all. Still, it’s the lesser of two evils.
Epic Users Aren't So Lucky
Unfortunately, for those who prefer the Epic Games Store, the news isn't as good. The FAQ states that anyone who purchases Battlefield 6 via the Epic Games Store will be required to use the EA App and have an EA account to play. This means Epic users will be subjected to the full, double-launcher experience that has become a frustrating hallmark of buying third-party publisher games on the platform.
Why This Actually Matters
This might seem like a minor detail, but it speaks to the larger issue of "launcher fatigue" that has plagued PC gaming for years. Publisher-specific clients like the EA App (formerly Origin), Ubisoft Connect, and the Rockstar Games Launcher are often seen by players as unnecessary hurdles. This decision to bypass the app for Steam users could be a sign that EA is recognizing the friction this causes. More cynically, it’s likely a concession they have to make due to Steam’s massive market dominance, a luxury other storefronts don't have the leverage to demand.
Ultimately, it’s a clear win for consumer convenience on the largest PC platform. While Epic Games Store users are stuck jumping through the extra hoop, those on Steam will have a slightly more streamlined path to the battlefield. It's a small victory, but in the war against launcher bloat, we'll take what we can get.