DICE's upcoming Battlefield 2042 is set to bring significant changes to the studio's Battlefield series, swapping out classes for Specialists, and introducing more live service elements that could ultimately signal a new direction for it going forward. With changes to not only the series' core multiplayer gameplay, but the introduction of new, unprecedented game modes, 2042 is Battlefield's greatest experiment, and may wind up being a turning point for the series. If this newest entry winds up being a lasting success, Battlefield may never be the same again.
Battlefield 2042 is essentially comprised of three game modes: All-Out Warfare, Battlefield Portal, and Hazard Zone. All three seem to be trying to accomplish similar, but distinct goals, and together signal the series' attempt at moving toward a live-service platform. All-Out Warfare is the latest incarnation of what can be considered the traditional Battlefield experience, though it's been streamlined in terms of game types, containing only Conquest and Breakthrough. As an ambitious homage to the series' past titles, Battlefield Portal is bringing content from 1942, Bad Company 2, and Battlefield 3 into a custom games creator. Hazard Zone, which features a lower player count, is similarly new territory for Battlefield, sharing more in common with the Battle Royale genre than the series traditional sandbox approach to gameplay.
In 2042, Battlefield has spread its eggs across a few different baskets. Though all three game modes are distinctly Battlefield, they individually feel like three different approaches to a new game. Call of Duty has similarly transitioned to a multi-front approach, with each annual release bringing new campaigns, zombies, and multiplayer while simultaneously contributing new Warzone content, but 2042 feels like an even more radical shift to take the series unilaterally onto a one-stop-shop platform. After the failure of Battlefield 5 - and especially Firestorm - in creating a successful live service, it almost feels like 2042 is leaving the future of the series in the hands of whichever of its three routes resonate the most with its audience.
Battlefield was originally a series almost solely focused on its multiplayer experience, but the majority of its titles have included some form of single-player campaign. The console version of Battlefield 2 brought the series' first campaign mode. The highlight of Battlefield campaigns were probably Bad Company and its sequel, but every iteration has excelled in certain areas. The overwhelming history of the franchise's single-player modes, though, has been that of second fiddle to the Battlefield series' multiplayer. Whereas the success of Warzone hasn't completely eliminated Call of Duty campaigns, Battlefield has taken the live service landscape of modern gaming as an opportunity to return to its multiplayer-only roots.
The lack of a single-player campaign signals a recalibration for the Battlefield series, with all of the past seven main Battlefield installments all having some form of story mode. Again though, given how the more recent single-player modes featured in Battlefield 1 and Battlefield 5 weren't that well received, it makes sense that 2042 is focusing on multiplayer. 2042 now arguably has even more variety after dropping its campaign, owing to Battlefield Portal bringing classic games to 2042 alongside the vastly different experiences of All-Out Warfare and Hazard Zone.
There has been concern from some Battlefield fans that Battlefield 2042 is straying too far from the series' identity, especially in regards to the inclusion of Specialists rather than Battlefield's usual classes. Battlefield Portal, in part, seems like an attempt to mitigate this concern and offer something directly targeting dedicated Battlefield players. Bad Company 2 and Battlefield 3 are beloved entries, and since 1942 is the series' first entry, there's a lot of history in Battlefield Portal to entice those who are more familiar with the series. Even if older Battlefield players don't find the new offerings in 2042 to be of interest, Battlefield Portal may end up being the long-term destination for the quintessential Battlefield experience, especially if the developers decide to add more classic content to the mode post-launch.
While All-Out Warfare includes Battlefield's classic Conquest mode, it seems to be attempting to adopt the more modern trend of character-specific abilities popularized by hero shooters. Battlefield 2042's Specialists could be great provided they receive some improvements, but it remains to be seen how effective this new approach will be following 2042's launch. Having individual characters to monetize with bonus cosmetics has become a staple of the most successful live service games in recent years, including Apex Legends and Overwatch, and it could be that they provide a way for DICE to support 2042 in the long run. Regardless, the entire Specialist system is new for Battlefield, and signals an attempt at evolving the game to reach at least some form of new audience.
Hazard Zone takes this a step further by bringing an entirely new direction to Battlefield. In the grand scheme of a Conquest game throughout the history of the series, one player's death has never been of large consequence. 2042 is introducing a game mode that increases the stakes following the rise of single-life multiplayer games with the explosion in popularity of battle royales. Granted, Battlefield's Hazard Zone isn't technically a battle royale, but it has the same sort of appeal. Following the failure of Battlefield V's Firestorm, it's not surprising to see 2042 shift gears a bit, and Hazard Zone has the added benefit of trying to break into an area largely comprised of comparatively smaller titles, such as Escape From Tarkov, and Hunt: Showdown.
Many different players may have found something coming in Battlefield 2042 to look forward to, but the wide range of new directions it's taking makes it difficult to discern what kind of platform it will ultimately become. It has all the elements of a compelling live service title, but it's unclear as of yet which component will become its core focus. 2042 has cast a wide net, and should appeal to the usual Battlefield player base by including Portal. However, it may also be looking to attract a competitive or hardcore following through the unique gameplay of Battlefield 2042's Hazard Zone mode. Despite the perceived lack of direction, it's clear that 2042 has the potential to change the series going forward, and possibly for the better.
The essence of Battlefield is certainly still in 2042, but the three-pronged push into slightly new territory feels like an effort to consolidate the series into a platform intended to operate for the long term. Even going back a century for Battlefield 1's setting didn't bring the same sense of change that 2042 does. The initial response to Battlefield 2042 after its release will be interesting to witness, but even more fascinating will be how the game evolves after players have been able to process it for a while.
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