Three Guides Detail Wake Island, Carrier Strike, and Fighter Sweep
Three developer guides published ahead of the August 18 release break down the Top Gun update's additions: the returning Wake Island, the carrier-hunting Carrier Strike mode, and the jets-only Gauntlet: Fighter Sweep. Each pairs commentary from Battlefield Studios designers with hard numbers — objective layouts, point values, and win conditions.
Wake Island
The developer map guide tours the game's 17th map through seven points of interest, among them Taussig Radar Station, Hangar One, the Toyoshima Docks, and the shipwreck of the MV Cetus anchoring the middle of the lagoon. Tunnel networks link objectives underground, and several capture zones can be reached by boat.
"Previous iterations of Wake Island had open water in the middle… we decided to put down the shipwreck, which also has ziplines for infantry" — Victor Guillermo, Level Designer
Carrier Strike
The mode guide lays out the 32v32, single-round battle for Tsuru Reef: five SSM batteries spread across the map fire on the enemy carrier every 15 seconds, while jets, tanks, and launchers add direct damage. At half hull strength a carrier exposes its M-COM stations, and a team wins by sinking the ship or detonating both charges before the 30-minute timer runs out.
"Everything about Top Gun is a perfect fit for Battlefield, so this is a dream come true in many ways." — Steve Cheverie, Gameplay Designer
Gauntlet: Fighter Sweep
The Fighter Sweep guide covers the aerial-only rules: six squads of two race to 1,000 points over 10-minute rounds, earning 50 points per downed jet and 15 per drone stockpile, with scoring doubled in the final minute. Cloud cover breaks target locks, deliberate crashes cost points, and a new Simplified Jet Controls option lowers the entry bar for first-time pilots.