Summary
TheBattlefieldfranchise has missed nearly all the shots it’s taken in the last few years, withBattlefield5andBattlefield 2042both being pretty severe disappointments, at least when they first launched. It’s going to take something pretty colossal to bring the series' once-stellar public perception back, and based on recent comments from EA’s CEO, the nextBattlefieldgame might not be the big gesture that fans were hoping for.
Just a few days ago,EA’s CEO Andrew Wilsonmade a few sweeping statements about the next entry in theBattlefieldfranchise, which is currently being worked on by a cavalcade of talented studios. While the CEO made quite a few controversial comments about EA’s future plans for monetization in games, it was Wilson’s confirmation that the nextBattlefieldwould be “another tremendous live service” that got fans riled up. GivenBattlefield’s past track record with the live-service model, and given the model’s frequent failures across the industry, it’s more than reasonable for fans to be worried about the series' future. But the nextBattlefieldbeing a live-service game was probably inevitable, and it can actually be a good thing if done correctly.
Battlefield 2042 Taught EA Some Valuable Lessons About Live-Service
Over the last few entries, EA has been slowly adding more and more live-service elements totheBattlefieldfranchise, from paid skins to a seasonal approach to new content.Battlefield 2042embraced this model fully, but like so many games both before and after it,Battlefield 2042didn’t know how to use the live-service model effectively.
At launch,Battlefield 2042had a severe lack of multiplayer modes, maps, weapons, and customization, and it was clear that EA simply wanted to ship the game as fast as possible and add content to it later down the line. This approach has never worked, and it definitely didn’t forBattlefield 2042, resulting in an infamously disappointing critical and commercial reception on launch.
But gradually, over the last few years,Battlefield 2042has become the game it probably always should have been. Over the course of seven seasons,Battlefield 2042added a handful of new maps, modes, weapons, and vehicles, while also making much-needed changes to features like the game’s controversial Specialist system. Though for many fans it felt like too little, too late,Battlefield 2042eventually used its live-service approach to better itself, and to draw some fans back in. If the nextBattlefieldgame can ship with plenty of content to begin with, and keep up a steady stream of updates and patches in the months or years following its release, then it could end up beingthe idealBattlefieldgame, especially if fan-feedback is taken into account with each update.
The Next Battlefield Will Just Be The Latest in a Long Line
When looking at the top multiplayer games in the world right now, almost every one follows a live-service approach in one way or another, fromApex Legends,Call of Duty: Warzone, andFortnitetoGTA Onlineand evenCounter-Strike.Helldivers 2is a recent exampleof a game that has thrived with a live-service model. In this modern age of gaming, where AAA titles take more time, effort, and money than ever before to create, going live-service is really the only viable way to earn those development costs back. But that doesn’t need to be a bad thing.
While all of these games aren’t perfect, they’ve managed to keep their player-bases invested for years now, and it’s primarily due to their live-service elements. Thougha live-service approachcan often be used as an excuse by some publishers to put out unfinished games, in the right hands it can be a mutually beneficial tool for all parties, providing new content and features for fans while continuing to be a source of income for the developer.
Battlefield 2042
WHERE TO PLAY
Battlefield 2042 is a first-person shooter that marks the return to the iconic all-out warfare of the franchise. With the help of a cutting-edge arsenal, engage in intense, immersive multiplayer battles.Lead your team to victory in both large all-out warfare and close-quarters combat on maps from the world of 2042 and classic Battlefield titles. Find your playstyle in class-based gameplay and take on several experiences comprising elevated versions of Conquest and Breakthrough. Explore Battlefield Portal, a platform where players can discover, create, and share unexpected battles from Battlefield’s past and present.This game includes optional in-game purchases of virtual currency that can be used to acquire virtual in-game items.
