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Battlefield 6's global release drew huge attention — and an equally big technical headache. Many players who downloaded the game through the EA app ran into an install error that blocked access even after the files were fully installed.
Launch day chaos: what went wrong
When Battlefield 6 went live, early adopters reported an error in the EA app asking them to install both single‑player and multiplayer components — despite those components already being present on disk. The issue surfaced within hours of launch and quickly spread across social feeds and forums.
Electronic Arts confirmed the bug roughly three hours after the first reports, and a patch to address the problem was deployed about three hours after that. In short, affected players were unable to play for around six hours while the glitch persisted.
Faces behind the fallout: Vince Zampella speaks out
Vince Zampella, the head of the Battlefield franchise, publicly addressed the incident on X (formerly Twitter), admitting his frustration and even claiming he yelled at EA app staff. In a notable move, Zampella suggested frustrated buyers could request a refund from the EA app and then purchase the game on Steam — pointing out he himself is playing the game on Steam.
But Steam users weren’t entirely spared. Some reported seeing a "Game Not Released" message when trying to launch Battlefield 6. Fortunately, a simple workaround solved the issue for many.
Quick fixes and workarounds
If you’re seeing launch errors or the "Game Not Released" notice on Steam, try this straightforward fix:
- Open Steam, right‑click Battlefield 6 and choose Properties.
- Locate the DLC or components list and disable both Battlefield Multiplayer HD and Battlefield Multiplayer DLCs.
- Restart Steam and launch the game again.
For EA app users encountering the install prompt despite a full download, monitoring EA's support channels and applying the in‑app updates is the quickest route — EA already pushed a fix shortly after acknowledging the bug.
What EA did to make it right
Electronic Arts moved to repair relations with affected users by offering in‑game compensation. EA granted several benefits to those who faced problems through the EA app, including full seasonal Battle Pass access and other unlocks as a goodwill gesture.
Launch day glitches aren’t unusual in big multiplayer releases, but the speed of confirmation and the workaround details are what mattered most for players. If you still run into problems, keep an eye on official EA and Battlefield channels for the latest patches and support steps.
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