Battlefield 6 managed to earn considerable acclaim from fans following DICE’s announcement that its cosmetics would adhere to a ‘grounded’ philosophy, breaking away from the cringe-worthy crossover bundles common in many FPS games. However, with some critics expressing concerns that the game is sliding down a slippery slope, one skin in particular has sparked outrage.

A new thread on Reddit, which has already garnered 11,000 upvotes, discusses a skin dubbed ‘Wicked Grin’ — a variant of a NATO soldier outfit emblazoned with a vivid blue camouflage. Players are reacting strongly because the skin is set to be awarded as a free item in the store during the upcoming Season 1, which launches on October 18.

One user on Reddit quipped, “Grounded skins for a while — 18 days exactly.” They went on to criticize the introduction of such vibrant skins in a game promoted for its realism, stating, “Colorful weapons and brightly colored camouflage don’t fit the tone.”

Fans are vocally expressing their discontent with the skin, with one player proclaiming, “I will not revive anyone wearing this kind of skin.” A sentiment echoed by many others reacting to the aesthetic departure that contrasts starkly with the generally realistic military appearances in the game.

Most responses in the Reddit thread highlight frustrations about EA’s perceived dishonesty, fears that Battlefield 6 may be heading downhill, and mockery aimed at the skin’s design itself. It’s clear that the community is closely watching how DICE will uphold its commitment to a grounded aesthetic amid contrasting elements appearing in the game.

As one player aptly summarized, at some point, DICE had to navigate away from their stated commitments, offering a revealing glimpse into preferences within its player base. While the release of ‘Wicked Grin’ might prove to be an outlier among the rest of the new offerings joining the game in Season 1, players hope this won’t set a precedent for future designs.