The next Battlefield game goes back to basics: After 2042 snafu, new official details are revealed

Modern setting tries to evoke Battlefield 3 and 4

by · TechSpot

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Rumor mill: EA's Battlefield franchise has spent three years recovering from the disastrous launch of Battlefield 2042. As Respawn Entertainment confirms the first official details on the next main title – likely arriving in 2025 – an established tipster has shared information on its gameplay and EA's plans for other upcoming Battlefield products.

After the last few entries visited historical and near-future time periods, the next Battlefield game will return to a modern-day setting, aiming to recapture the essence of Battlefield 3 and 4. The follow-up recently entered full production, as EA hopes to move past the generally panned Battlefield 2042.

Vince Zampella, head of Respawn Entertainment and EA Studios general manager, confirmed to IGN that the game will reverse some of 2042's design decisions and attempt to recapture the "core" of the franchise. He described the era of Battlefield 3, released in 2011, and Battlefield 4 (2014), as the series' peak.

Like those games, the next entry will allow a maximum of 64 players per match and return to the old class system. This runs counter to 2042's maximum of 128 players, which some players considered unfocused, and its "specialist" characters which drew negative comparisons to hero shooters. Although Battlefield 2042 improved with time, it was initially one of Steam's worst-reviewed games ever.

EA revealed an official piece of concept art for the next Battlefield, depicting a modern-looking city on fire with helicopters and battleships visible in the distance. The company wouldn't confirm the location pictured, but analysis indicates that it is Gibraltar.

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Zampella's comments confirm information that Insider Gaming leaked in February. The outlet's sources recently claimed that the new game will launch with at least 45 weapons – double the initial amount in 2042 – and roughly 10 maps. EA might also dramatically overhaul the destruction system to resemble Rainbow Six Siege. A globetrotting story campaign involving NATO is also planned.

Furthermore, Ripple Effect, one of the studios Zampella confirmed to be working on Battlefield, is reportedly developing a separate title to offer a "new experience" as part of the franchise's "connected universe." This project could be a free-to-play battle royale, aiming to replicate Call of Duty's success with Warzone.

Zampella also confirmed that a community testing initiative for the next Battlefield game, possibly an open beta, will begin next year.