After weeks of rumors and leaks, DICE and EA finally revealed its latest game, Battlefield 2042. The seventh mainline installment in the Battlefield franchise takes place several decades in the future, with advanced technology and a tense global landscape.
The reveal came in the form of a five-minute gameplay trailer on June 9 that outlined the premise of Battlefield 2042. Fans were a bit confused at first, as the stream started early this morning with a random one-hour countdown. However, those who waited around were rewarded for their patience with the Battlefield 2042 announcement and trailer.
As suggested by leaks, the game takes place in the near future, where America and Russia are the only remaining superpowers. Left behind are “stateless soldiers” that are forced to pick a side in the global conflict, with no allegiance to their home nation. Many weapons from previous Battlefield games were shown off in the trailer, but the inclusion of new drones and technology inflects a futuristic feel to the design. Further, there won’t be a main campaign this time around, with DICE instead focusing all-out on Battlefield’s vintage multiplayer.
Taking advantage of next-gen consoles, players on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC can enjoy 128-player lobbies. Oskar Gabrielson, DICE General Director, previously called the game “jaw-dropping,” and matches of this size surely match up to that. A preview from PlayStation discussed the game’s three main sections: All Out Warfare, Hazard Zone, and one as-yet-unnamed mode. All Out Warfare comprises the classic Battlefield game-modes like Conquest, whereas Hazard Zone focuses on squad-based play.
As usual with Battlefield, 2042 looks set to introduce dynamic damage mechanics. The previous omits specifics, but teases “visibility-altering sandstorms, a space rocket launch, [and] destructive tornadoes.” The series has always set itself apart with in-game destruction and map events, but 2042 will use next-gen hardware to take this up a level.
Battlefield 2042 launches October 11 on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PS4, PS5, and PC, and with a gameplay reveal set for June 13, it’s an exciting time to be a Battlefield fan.
