Since its launch in November 2021, Battlefield 2042 has had a rocky journey, marked by initial player dissatisfaction due to numerous bugs, an underdeveloped progression system, and unbalanced gameplay. Despite these setbacks, resulting in Metacritic scores of 68 and a notably low user score of 2.2, the game’s ongoing seasons have helped turn the tide. Player engagement showed signs of improvement, indicated by the rising player count reflected in Steam’s analytics.
EA released six seasons for Battlefield 2042 until October 2023, culminating in Season 7 which began on March 19th. Unfortunately for the dedicated gamers, this season will be the last. EA expressed their understanding of potential disappointment from their fanbase but emphasized their decision to invest resources in the future of the Battlefield franchise.
The publisher reassured players that although Battlefield 2042 will not receive new seasons, the game will still be supported through updates that include fresh challenges, events, and gameplay modes. The clear direction now is to forge ahead – and for this new phase, EA has recruited a helping hand from Motive Studio, known for Dead Space and Star Wars: Squadrons, to focus purely on the development of potential Battlefield iterations.
Excitingly, EA and DICE plan to build a cohesive “Battlefield universe”, a concept announced at the end of 2022 which would involve a series of interconnected games. The introduction of Motive Studio signifies movement towards this goal, although the exact nature of their projects remains under wraps for the time being.
The latest buzz in the gaming community comes from Tom Henderson, a credible leaker with a record of accurate predictions, who’s provided some insight through Insider Gaming into the putative Battlefield 7. Reportedly in the initial concept phase, the game is anticipated to harken back to traditional Battlefield gameplay with a 64-player cap and a restored four-class system. Alongside this return to roots, a new battle royale mode is also rumored to be in the free-to-play pipeline, set in a contemporary period spanning from 2025 to 2030.
While EA’s plans progress behind the scenes, the company continues to support the player base with updates and the assurance that Battlefield 2042, despite not having new seasonal content, will remain a dynamic and evolving gameplay experience. The future of Battlefield looks set to bring new developments and titles, where players can anticipate fresh gameplay, immersive experiences, and new horizons within the ever-popular franchise.
