Battlefield 2042did not have a great release. There is a huge list of technical problems, bugs, missing features, and more that continue to plague the game, and as a result2042is regularly overtaken byBattlefield 5and evenBattlefield 4on the Steam game charts. At one point, more people were playingFarming Simulator 22thanBattlefield 2042, which is an outstanding achievement for all the wrong reasons.
DICE recently released a blog postannouncing its intention to fixBattlefield 2042to meet the expectations of its fanbase and deliver on feedback. The post covered everything from pathing (how players get between objectives) to vehicle balancing, cover, and more. But the post was still criticized as being too small in scope, too late on arrival, and for scheduling upcoming changes at an undefined date. Considering2042’s poor performance as a live-service game, it is in dire need of updates and changes within a shorter timeframe, something that will take significant development time. With the news that the nextBattlefieldgame is in production, DICE has an even greater challenge.
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Admitting to Battlefield 2042’s Mistakes
It is nearly impossible to list all the missing features, technical inconsistencies, and gameplay issues inBattlefield 2042. With reviews of the game being so low, and with playersstruggling to find matches in2042due to a lack of players on both console and PC, the game is approaching the same situation as BioWare’sAnthem. Despite the announcement that DICE is planning to do something about the games' situation, its issues seem to continue growing each month.
The introduction of 128-player matches has caused major issueswith technical performance and stability inBattlefield 2042, the specialist system has been poorly received, and the empty maps fall flat compared with the iconic designs of previous titles, particularly with their approach to art direction and style. These are just a few of the major areas that need to be fixed or potentially reworked - none of which seem likely to be addressed for months.
These areas, which have received extensive community feedback since launch, have been said to be issues with player expectations rather than how EA and DICE marketed the game or failed to meet basic requirements in a crowded live-service market. Apologizing or admitting to these missteps would go a long way to rebuilding trust with the community, something that will be vital for a newBattlefieldgame. If DICE and EA want those disillusioned by2042to come back, they will first have to convince the community that they understand and acknowledge feedback is coming from more than just the expectations of “some” players. It will also have tostop blaming other games likeHalo Infinitefor its own failures.
Changing Battlefield’s Formula
That’s not to say changing the franchise is inherently a bad thing. TheBattlefieldfranchise has always iterated on its previous games, rather than significantly changing its own formula, usually by introducing a new setting or time period and complementing that with other improvements such asBattlefield 1’s advanced movement and map design (which wasleft out of2042’s “Portal” mode).
Battlefield 2042seems to have walked down a completely different path, one that removed parts which made previous games so successful and introduced others that seem at-odds with its own core formula. This gaveBattlefield 2042an identity crisis to go along with its other issues. With2042introducingso many downgrades from previousBattlefieldtitles, particularly when it comes to map design and destructibility, it’s no surprise the community has fractured in response.
Quick Wins and Lessons Learned by Battlefield 2042
With a newBattlefieldgame in development, EA and DICE can get some quick wins when shaping the game by looking back at what made previous titles great.Bad Company 2was adored for its destruction and soundscape;Battlefield 3has remained afan favorite for its map design, realism, and voice acting; andBattlefield 1continues to be praised for its immersion and attention to detail.
These games are still being played today by dedicated communities, which is perhaps why2042’s “Portal mode” is by far its most popular and well-received addition. DICE and EA have shown they can identify and present what makes theBattlefieldcommunity tick through Portal, and2042’s clever marketing trailershighlighted the franchises' renowned “only inBattlefieldmoments” (such as planting C4 to a bike and driving it into a helicopter). While this campaign was well received by the community, the actual game veered away from this.
The development team says ithas “learned valuable lessons” from2042, so hopefully those lessons will be implemented into the next title. But there needs to be a longer look at what makes theBattlefieldfranchise unique, fun, and a rewarding multiplayer experience if a new title were to succeed. The success of “Portal” and the franchises' older games out-performing2042should be a clear indicator of where to start. Acknowledging, rather than circumventing, community feedback will be just as important in bringing back disenfranchised players and selling them a new title.
Battlefield 2042is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
