Tsuru Reef Developer Map Guide

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

• CRAFTING A NEW ICONIC MAP
• RESPECTING AUTHENTICITY
• EXPLORING TSURU REEF SECTOR BY SECTOR
• TOP FIVE TIPS AND TRICKS - TSURU REEF

Tsuru Reef, the 16th map in Battlefield 6 and the leading locale for Season 4’s launch, joins a universe of over 100 maps in the franchise’s 24-year history. With Naval Warfare making its grand return this season, defining modern amphibious combat with a brand-new map comes with gravitas, especially an icon arriving later in Season 4 known as Wake Island.

“There's so much love for Wake Island,” said Alexandra M. Lucas, a Senior Writer on Battlefield’s Narrative team, “so for Tsuru Reef, we wanted to make sure we made something that felt very different, even to the point of making sure ‘island’ wasn't in the map name so Wake Island could stand out on its own.”

Comparisons like this are expected. In fact, reflecting on the past is key for developers like Richard Starr, Principal Level Designer for Tsuru Reef, to create new all-out warfare experiences that reach the franchise’s high watermark.

“Among classic Naval Warfare maps, Paracel Storm from Battlefield 4 stood out as a benchmark,” Starr said. “It masterfully integrated land, air, and sea combat into a cohesive experience, and that balance served as a key inspiration in shaping Tsuru Reef’s design philosophy.”

Here's a look at all the craft behind Tsuru Reef as well as some tips to conquer the battlefield:

CRAFTING A NEW ICONIC MAP

Tsuru Reef is the largest Battlefield 6 map yet, only to get bigger later in Season 4 with a mid-season update, but scale is only one part of its story. For Battlefield Studios developers, the goal with every new map is ensuring quality at scale, with all hands on deck from inception:

“We begin by defining the thematic foundation of the map, then assess the current map rotation to identify gameplay experiences that may be underrepresented,” Starr said. “Our objective is to curate a well-rounded collection of maps that reflect the diverse playstyle preferences within our community—whether that means infantry-focused combat, vehicle-dominant warfare, or a balanced blend of both.”

“Ultimately,” he continued, “Tsuru Reef was designed to ensure there is something compelling for every type of Battlefield player.”

Core to Naval Warfare is, of course, water. Comprising four islands and their immediate surroundings in the Pacific, Tsuru Reef bridges together high-intensity areas - a swank luxury resort, a long-abandoned harborside neighborhood, and a military base, to name a few  - by way of open ocean and inland waterways.

“One of our primary goals was to create meaningful gameplay variety across each capture point,” Starr said. “Some objectives are designed to be captured directly by boat, while others emphasize infantry combat supported by naval presence. We also incorporated shallow waterways, allowing players to traverse between islands without relying solely on bridges. This approach promotes fluid movement and encourages dynamic engagements across multiple combat styles.”

Starr and other designers aren’t the only voices in the room; during a map’s early developmental stages, questions around how it fits into the greater Battlefield story, its location and - most importantly - its name start to surface. That’s where Alexandra M. Lucas and the Narrative team speak up:

“In the struggle for power between Pax Armata and NATO, Tsuru Reef is a massively important battleground,” Lucas detailed. “It houses an international joint air base shared by American and Japanese forces, which is also the home port of the USS Grant aircraft carrier. These installations enable NATO to maintain constant surveillance and control of the vital shipping routes and strategic military locations in the region. Pax's goal, then, is to destabilize NATO's dominance in the Pacific and claim it for their own by deploying their own carrier, PXS Condor. If NATO wants to maintain their stronghold on Tsuru Reef -- and prevent Pax from laying claim to another sector of the world -- they're going to have to fight for it.”

Tsuru Reef comes to life because of these discussions at Battlefield Studios. Across an entire global developer network, each team brings their own expertise to the table, but it’s a true collaborative effort that results in what millions of Battlefield community members play. 

“Every discipline is involved in map design,” Lucas said. “Game Design and Level Design meticulously outlined the layouts of each point of interest to ensure they supported classic and new Battlefield modes, while World Art, Audio, and Narrative conducted extensive research to identify features and names that would lend authenticity to a bespoke Japanese island chain.”

RESPECTING AUTHENTICITY

Based on a fictionalized Japanese island, Tsuru Reef is grounded within the Battlefield universe all while ensuring cultural accuracy, which is a critical step in creating maps:

Ask any New Yorker about Battlefield 6’s Empire State and Manhattan Bridge, for example, and they will be quick to cross-reference the fictional map with their memories of the DUMBO neighborhood, comparing in-game screenshots with their pictures of the bridge from Washington Street. Right down to the riverside beach, the rental bikes, and the LED-lit food truck that saved many a long night out, those minute details may not be noticeable during combat, but they still significantly impact player immersion.

“Our team helps identify locations across the globe that will provide exciting gameplay for our community,” Lucas said. “Although Battlefield exists in a fictional universe, one of our core responsibilities is to stay up-to-date with the real world and work with internal experts to get the grounded military authenticity and geopolitics right.”

For Tsuru Reef, a Western interpretation of an East Asia locale, the Battlefield Studios Narrative team conducted meticulous research and conversations with in-house experts, including dedicated teams in that region. 

“Narrative spent quite a lot of time researching naming conventions for each point of interest, and even the name of the map itself emerged from much discussion with creative leadership about how to make it stand out both in its season of release and in the Battlefield franchise,” Lucas explained. “One example is our World Art team advocating for a modern art installation in one of the POIs, which is a nod to Japan's Art Islands and the Setouchi Triennale, a festival that features artwork on 17 islands every three years. Across the entirety of Tsuru Reef, from its names to its terrain and all its POIs, the guidance we received from our colleagues who are from Japan or are experts in Japanese culture is absolutely invaluable.”

Authenticity does not just mean true to real life, but also true to the character of all-out warfare and providing a genuine Battlefield experience. All developers on deck, including Lighting Director David Kintner, were thrilled to introduce a new tropical biome to the game to welcome Naval Warfare. However, it still had to feel - and play - like a great Battlefield map, especially with recent changes to combat and soldier visibility.

“The biggest challenge was striking the right balance between building a beautiful, authentic sub-tropical environment and preserving the core Battlefield wartime aesthetic,” Kintner said. “Achieving that balance required a lot of iteration on everything from the density of bushes and the placement of rocks and trees to the textures and color palette throughout the world. Every element had to support the environment visually without becoming so busy that it affected character readability. The goal was to create believable cover and natural-looking spaces while still allowing players to spot enemies quickly and move through the environment comfortably. It's always a balancing act between creating a world that looks stunning and one that plays exceptionally well.”

EXPLORING TSURU REEF SECTOR BY SECTOR

Tsuru Reef is a cluster of six main islands: Yumeji Island (housing Majestic Ikoi Resort), Kaze Island (where Mifune Landing and Tsuru Gate reside), Dusk Island (home of Moon Shore and Sunrise Harbor), Mist Island (the military core of the Tsuru Air Base and Tsuru Port), and two smaller islands for NATO and Pax Armata Headquarters. 

“Tsuru Reef features a diverse array of capture points, each offering distinct thematic and gameplay experiences,” Starr said. “The map is intentionally divided between a civilian coastal environment and a more fortified military presence. Players will encounter small civilian villages, military checkpoints, a central headquarters, and dock facilities.”

By island, listed as their point of interest names in-game, here’s the reef at a glance:

Majestic Ikoi Resort

Hosting a mix of close-quarters and open combat areas, such as outdoor swimming pools and hotel rooms, the Majestic Ikoi Resort is situated in the center segment of the chain.

“This large capture point pays homage to Hainan Resort from Battlefield 4,” Starr said. “serving as both a visual landmark and a navigational anchor within the expansive playspace.”

A large yet modest hotel at first, the resort recently underwent significant renovations to become an extensive luxury destination, thanks to Selim Fayek’s purchase of the property via his global conglomerate, Pharodin Industries. However, that price tag did not afford enough reinforced walls: whether by Patrol Boat, aircraft, or Engineer’s Gadget assortment, the resort’s main building and its villas can be torn asunder to create new sightlines and pathways to victory.

Also, note to the east is the long-dormant volcano Mt. Hoshizora - or Mt. “Starry Sky.” While not a capture point, it does provide an elevated - and exposed - viewpoint across the islands.

Mifune Landing and Tsuru Gate

Immortalizing a legend, Mifune Landing hosts an “Art Island” revitalization project, unfortunately now only accessible to NATO and Pax forces with the islands completely abandoned by residents and tourists. This lockdown was accelerated by the existing Tsuru Gate, a joint Japanese-American-owned checkpoint to their joint military base to the east.

As the central island, establishing control grants land bridge routes to all other main Tsuru Reef Islands. Using the rocky outcroppings and vegetation as cover, an intelligent squad can rotate around relatively undetected and push to the northwest, northeast, or south into the resort.

Tsuru Air Base and Tsuru Port

Housing the military base and the mixed-use shipping port, this island can be more easily accessible to NATO in Conquest matches. As the smoldering rubble might suggest, the infrastructure here is prone to destruction, which can tear down high-vantage points with ease and ensure fights are fought at a more even level.

While partially destroyed, the Tsuru Air Base landing strip is large enough for aircraft to make a pit stop or a touch-and-go to throw off enemy targeting systems. It’s still in contested territory and near open water, though, so ensure any landings here are brief.

One additional point of interest is the Crag Arch, which faces out towards the Majestic Ikoi Resort. Natural cover, including the arch itself, is key for traversing through here safely, but there are a few rubble piles, such as one with a downed Tsuru Air Base helicopter, that can provide protection in a pinch.

Sunrise Harbor and Moon Shore

Closer to the Pax Armata HQ in Conquest matches, this long-abandoned tourist and residential island welcomes close-quarters combat with a unique U-shaped harbor for naval vehicles.

Recon soldiers and Engineers might stick close to the harbor for its clear sightlines across the island and into open waters, making this a deadly area regardless of faction ownership. Taking to the vacant houses, warehouses, or even to the treeline above can grant some respite from this combat hotbed.

On the southeast corner of this island is Hitode Lagoon, which strings together this island with that holding Mifune Landing and the Majestic Ikoi Resort. The cliff here can be a great vantage point for long-range firefights, but be prepared for threats on all sides including through the waterway into and out of the harbor.

Pax Armata and NATO Headquarters

NATO’s base is situated closer to the key Port, while Pax Armata sits near the long-evacuated residential harbor island. Both of these areas feature an internal waterway for calmer waters when piloting naval vessels. Otherwise, the barrier island for Pax Armata’s HQ is closer to the main shores than that of NATO’S HQ islands, making it slightly easier for that side to hop across the chain on foot.

Later in the season when Tsuru Reef expands, expect these areas to gain some ground… or technically, sea. As the battle continues between NATO and Pax, each side calls in a carrier for backup, with NATO gaining the USS Grant and Pax Armata receiving the PXS Condor.

TOP FIVE TIPS AND TRICKS - TSURU REEF

1. ISLAND HOPPING. As a Naval Warfare map, watercraft are essential to travelling across Tsuru Reef quickly, particularly when travelling from your faction’s base to one of the main islands.
2. BETTER LEARN TO SWIM. When not in naval vehicles, remember to dive underneath the surface and use the open water waves to protect yourself from incoming enemy fire.
3. EMERGENCY MANEUVERS. In case of damage, or to throw off enemies with a touch-and-go, aircraft can make a stop on Tsuru Air Base’s landing strip.
4. CONTROL THE LANDING. Especially in Conquest, locking down the central island grants a relative advantage for capturing its surrounding islands. 
5. TAKE A SCENIC ROUTE. Mt. Hoshizora and other unnamed islands may not be capture points, but they can serve strategic purposes, such as being a safe space for Deploy Beacon use between multiple objectives.

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