Skip to main content

Battlefield 5 PC closed alpha 2 ends today

The second Battlefield 5 closed alpha for PC, which kicked off earlier this week, is ending today.

DICE surprised everyone by announcing, after some vague hints, that Battlefield 5 is indeed getting a second alpha test. Battlefield games don't typically get more than one, so there are a few things you should know if you're planning to make use of these remaining hours.

Battlefield 5 closed alpha 2 pre-load, size, start and end times

  • Pre-load: the second Battlefield 5 closed alpha is now available to pre-load.
  • Closed alpha 2 goes live on Tuesday, August 14 at 1am PT, 4am ET, 9am BST.
  • Closed alpha 2 download size is just over 10GB.
  • Closed alpha 2 end time: the second alpha ends today, August 16 at 7am PT, 10am ET, 3pm BST.

In case you're wondering - yes, the alpha will shut down right as Battlefield 5's gamescom 2018 trailer will be going live.

How to participate in the Battlefield 5 closed Alpha

The Battlefield 5 closed alpha 2 is invite-only, hence the name. Invitations with a code will be sent to a small group of Battlefield PC players, so check your inbox pronto.

These codes can be redeemed in the Origin client, as it is a PC-only test, and the alpha is available in English only. Those who were invited to the first closed alpha but didn't redeem their codes in time can still use that code for closed alpha 2.

EA will send another email with the same code to players, just to remind them. This means that if you took part in the first alpha, you're automatically in this one - just download it when it's time.

DICE further confirmed that this round will be expanded to include many more players, so there's still a chance you're going to get a key this time around. That said, if you didn't get a code until today, it's safe to assume you won't be getting one.

Battlefield 5 closed alpha 2 is playable in these regions:

Europe: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Great Britain, Georgia, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Isle of Man, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Moldova, Montenegro, Macedonia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Sweden, Slovenia, Svalbard & Jan Myen, Slovakia, Spain, San Marino, Turkey.

North America: Canada, Mexico, United States.

Battlefield 5 closed alpha 2 content

As far as content, the second closed alpha is identical when it comes to the maps, modes, weapons, classes, vehicles and so on. It's built from the first alpha, in fact.

Once again, we'll be playing on Arctic Fjord in both Conquest mode and the two phases of Grand Operations (Airborne, and Breakthrough). Unlike the first test, closed alpha 2 won't feature any Daily Orders or Special Assignments.

The focus of this round is to test the speed of player progression. DICE made some changes based on feedback from the first alpha. Things like how fast players score points and general progression through the ranks have been changed.

Those who took part in the first test will be familiar with the many matchmaking and squad issues it had. DICE has fixed a few bugs in these areas which require further testing.

Weapon balance has also been touched up, with some weapons getting buffed, others nerfed, and some now starting out with more magazines.

Battlefield 5 closed alpha 2 balance changes

EMP:

  • Decreased the max damage range from 12 to 8 meters.
  • Decreased the fall off range from 50 to 40 meters.
  • Increased the min damage to 14.3.
  • Added 1 additional magazine on Spawn, one additional magazine on resupplying.

MP40:

  • Decreased the max damage range from 12 to 8 meters.
  • Decreased the fall off range from 50 to 40 meters.
  • Increased the min damage to 14.3.
  • Added 1 additional magazine on Spawn, one additional magazine on resupplying.

STG 44:

  • Decreased max damage from 27 to 20.
  • Increased max damage range from 11 to 20 meters.
  • Increased damage fall off range from 50 to 60 meters.
  • Decreased min damage from 17 to 16.7.
  • Added 1 additional magazine on Spawn, one additional magazine on resupplying.

Bren Gun:

  • Increased max damage range from 11 to 20 meters.
  • Increased damage fall off range from 50 to 60 meters.
  • Decreased min damage from 17 to 16.7.

MG34:

  • Increased max damage range from 11 to 20 meters.
  • Increased min damage from 17 to 20.
  • Increased damage fall off range from 50 to 60 meters.

Gewehr 43:

  • Decreased max damage range from 26.5 to 15 meters.
  • Increased damage fall off range from 51.5 to 60 meters.
  • Decreased min damage from 36 to 34.

KAR 98:

  • Increased max damage from 80 to 90.
  • Decreased max damage range from 20 to 8 meters.
  • Decreased damage falloff range from 80 to 60 meters.
  • Decreased min damage from 60 to 55.
  • Lowered bullet’s exit velocity from 700 to 600.

Walther P-38:

  • Increased magazine amount on spawn from 4 to 8, and 10 when resupplying.
  • Increased max damage range from 10 to 15 meters.
  • Decreased max damage from 30 to 25 meters.
  • Increased min damage from 15 to 16.7.
  • Decreased damage falloff range from 70 to 30 meters.

Battlefield 5 closed alpha 2 PC system requirements

The PC specifications below are specifically for closed alpha 2 and may not necessarily be the same for the final game.

Minimum

  • OS: 64-bit Windows 7, Windows 8.1 or Windows 10
  • Processor (AMD): AMD FX-8350
  • Processor (Intel): Core i5 6600K
  • Memory: 8GB RAM
  • Graphics card (NVIDIA): Nvidia GeForce  GTX 1050 / GTX 660 2GB
  • Graphics card (AMD): AMD Radeon HD 7850 2GB
  • DirectX: 11.0 Compatible video card or equivalent
  • Internet: 512 KBPS or faster, stable Internet connection
  • Free space: 50GB

Recommended

  • OS: 64-bit Windows 10
  • Processor (AMD): AMD Ryzen 3 1300X
  • Processor (Intel): Intel Core i7 4790 or equivalent
  • Memory: 12GB RAM
  • Graphics card (NVIDIA): Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 3GB
  • Graphics card (AMD): AMD Radeon RX 480 4GB
  • DirectX: 11.1 Compatible video card or equivalent
  • Internet: 512 KBPS or faster, stable Internet connection
  • Free space: 50GB

Streaming Battlefield 5 closed alpha 2

Just like the first Battlefield 5 closed alpha, streaming and game capture is allowed for this round. There will be no NDA to sign. In other words: go nuts.

Battlefield 5 releases worldwide October 19 for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. A Play First trial will be available on October 11 for EA Access, and Origin Access subscribers.

Read this next