Battlefield 1's DLC maps are free to play for the next week

The latest piece of the Battlefield 1 season pass is out today alongside a free update.

You can catch the full patch notes below, including an overview of the new nighttime map Prise de Tahure, but the crucial bit here is the introduction of Premium Trials. With this system, DICE is letting non-pass holders play the DLC maps without having to pay up -- for a limited time, anyway. The Trials are planned as free-play "events," and the current one runs now through Thursday, July 27.

The main caveat is that XP earned during a Premium Trial won't be applied, but it will be stored behind-the-scenes and registered should you ever nab the applicable expansion pack or the full season pass.

"Before Gamescom, there will be another Premium Trials event after this first one," says DICE. "In September, another Premium Trials event will be held, meaning all players will have the opportunity to play on previously released expansion pack maps."

It's disheartening to see communities divided by DLC maps. The Battlefield 1situation is far from ideal, but between this and the Premium Friends feature (squad up with a pal who paid), it's gotten better.