Leaked map details confirm a new era for Battlefield?

Classic maps return, but not as you remember them, signalling a full franchise reboot.

Fan-made artwork by Sokugan

After months of speculation, leaks from credible Battlefield community sources like Temporyal have given us a much clearer picture of what’s to come in the next instalment of the franchise. While previous games focused their maps to somewhat real-world geopolitics and have somewhat established "story" (being very generous here with the word "established"), the latest leaks indicate that everything we know about the "lore" of Battlefield can be dismissed for the upcoming future. This isn’t just a new game, it’s a reboot.

In this article, brought to you by the Battlefield One Podcast, we’ll break down what the leaked map information tells us about the direction of the franchise, why it confirms a series reboot, and what this means for long time and new players alike.

The Battlefield franchise has seen its share of highs and lows over the years. From the gritty realism of Battlefield 2 and the modern warfare of Battlefield 3, to the more divisive reception of semi-futuristic Battlefield 2042, but the series has always (de)evolved. Now, with multiple studios unified under the new “Battlefield Studios” banner, Electronic Arts appears to be doubling down on their vision. They’ve cancelled less viable projects, like the Black Panther single-player game (as we seen some developers were moved to Battlefield Studios), and focused all resources on a few high-impact franchises, including Battlefield.

This next Battlefield title is already being billed internally as one of EA’s most expensive projects ever. Add to that its complete absence from marketing events like Summer Game Fest or Xbox Showcase (this one is kinda obvious coughs Call of Duty coughs) and the deliberate choice to avoid shared spotlights, and it becomes clear: EA is saving all their ammo for a massive standalone reveal.

Let’s get to the meat of it - the maps. Leaks from prominent dataminer Temporyal and discussion on our show highlight multiple returning maps from previous games, but with a significant twist. Here’s what’s been uncovered:

• Operation Firestorm, originally set in Iran during Battlefield 3, now appears to be placed in a fictional Central Asian region referred to as “Turkmenistan.” A new map that is currently being featured in Battlefield Labs playtests called "Capstone" is located in the same country.

  
  

• Propaganda, which used to be located in North Korea from Battlefield 4 "Dragon's Teeth" expansion, is now located in Bulgaria, transforming it from a distinctly authoritarian-themed environment to one with Eastern European flair.

  
  

• Downtown, previously modeled after Los Angeles in Battlefield Hardline, the only map from all leaks ones that might stay in its original location, but that is just speculation.

  
  

• Talah Market is also making a return, though its updated location hasn’t yet been disclosed.

  
  

So what does this mean? These maps aren’t just being remastered, they’re being rewritten into an entirely different geopolitical universe. The old in-game countries are being replaced with new ones, and existing lore is being revised to match this rebooted continuity. This allows Battlefield to bring back fan-favorite maps in their original spirit, while simultaneously freeing itself from the baggage of past narratives and mechanics.

This shift is more than cosmetic. By moving these maps to different locations, EA and Battlefield Studios are signalling that this isn't just Battlefield 6, it’s Battlefield. A clean slate. This isn’t a sequel, nor a soft reboot like Battlefield 2042 claimed to be. This is a full-scale franchise reboot with the guts to say, “We’re starting over.”

Yet, there’s nuance to that. While the franchise is rebooting its narrative and design philosophy, it's not abandoning its past. These remade maps are homage to the series’ legacy, cleverly dressed in new lore and new visual aesthetics. It's a balancing act: honoring the games that came before while laying the groundwork for a modern audience that expects more dynamic experiences. We also haven't seen some of these maps for more than 10 years at this point.

From a gameplay perspective, this move also offers flexibility. By establishing a new universe, developers have room to innovate without being shackled by the past. With a new global conflict on the horizon, pitting NATO against the a new military faction Pax Armata, it’s clear the team is aiming for a more nuanced, less East-vs-West dichotomy. This is modern warfare reimagined for 2025 and beyond.

And let’s be honest, bringing back maps like Firestorm and Propaganda with modern fidelity, improved destruction, and new environmental storytelling is something every Battlefield veteran can get behind. If they play the same but feel different, that’s a win-win for nostalgia and freshness alike.

The next Battlefield game is not Battlefield 6. It’s a full reboot narratively, geographically, and ideologically. EA’s financial and creative bets are all on this title. The map leaks are just the beginning of the bigger picture: a reimagined universe, an updated geopolitical landscape, and the return of iconic gameplay with a fresh new setting.

As we at Battlefield One Podcast continue to dissect every leak, every hint, and every announcement, one thing is clear: judging by the Battlefield Labs leaked gameplay, Battlefield is going back to its roots, but it’s not looking back and it's moving forward with intention.

And honestly? We’re here for it.

This article is brought to you by the Battlefield One Podcast, where we break down announcements like this, analyze gameplay footage, and track the development of Battlefield week to week. Whether you're new to the franchise or a returning veteran, follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you listen, and get the full picture behind the frontlines.

---

Before you go... Thank you for reading this article from Battlefield One Podcast - we appreciate you taking the time to be on this website and read everything we have to say. If you enjoyed what you read, be sure to check out our full podcast episodes, where we discuss the history, chaos, news, updates and community "temperature" behind the Battlefield franchise in even more detail.

This website is entirely ad-free and independently run. We’re able to keep it online, maintain the archive of all our episodes, and keep creating new content thanks to the generous support from our listeners through Patreon and direct donations. If you value what we’re building here and want to help us keep going, please consider subscribing or making a contribution.

Every bit of support means the world to us and helps us stay focused on what matters - delivering honest, detailed, no nonsense Battlefield related content without compromise.

Please go to Patreon.com/TheLankySoldier or our dedicated donation page on this website, Battlefieldone.net/Donation