When it comes to multiplayer shooters, two names that come to mind instantly are Call of Duty and Battlefield. The two have been giving each other competition for years now, but there seems to be a clear winner this year, with Call of Duty: Vanguard receiving overall less negative reception than Battlefield 2042. EA DICE’s latest installment in the franchise was mired with various issues at launch that kneecapped the performance, and it’s been downhill ever since.
Battlefield 2042 had been labeled as a true “next-gen” experience by EA, but the company has since changed its stance on the title, reportedly considering it a disappointment. However, this feeling doesn’t stop at merely a sense of defeat and shame, as the company may also make Battlefield 2042 free-to-play in some capacity.
That last tidbit of information comes from reputable leaker Tom Henderson. Known to have credible information in the FPS genre, his track record is best with Call of Duty but has also shared some accurate Battlefield information in the past. This includes the release date for Battlefield 2042. Now, he has some more news on how EA views Battlefield 2042 internally.
In a tweet, Henderson said EA is “very disappointed” with the performance of Battlefield 2042 and is now “looking at all the options” when it comes to the title.” He elaborated that these options include making the game free-to-play to some degree.
This is a little vague as it is unclear if it would mean only some aspects of Battlefield 2042 would be free or the entire game with microtransactions. Henderson should have more to say tomorrow.
Battlefield 2042 had a very rocky launch with many technical issues, an unimpressive selection of weapons, and several other problems. Community feedback has been largely negative, with fans complaining about the slim offering of content, the Specialist system, and poor communication from the development team. So, the question is if the free-to-play option is viable or if the game is beyond saving at this point.
Free-to-play would undoubtedly be appealing to some, as they would be able to redirect the $69.99 for current-gen consoles and $59.99 for last-gen consoles to other games. But this could also cause issues with people who purchased the game and are opposed to premium stores.
EA is caught between the devil and the deep sea with Battlefield 2042. The game may not end up becoming free-to-play, but changes are sorely needed in the game if it is to get the community on its side.
About Battlefield 2042
Battlefield 2042 is the seventeenth installment in the Battlefield series developed by DICE and published by Electronic Arts. The game is a first-person online multiplayer shooting title. This installment of Battlefield will not feature a single-player campaign mode.
The year is 2042 and the world is in ruins. Natural disasters run rampant, ocean levels have risen, the world economy has collapsed, and the US and Russia are at war. You step into the shoes of a non-patriated soldier – a soldier without a side. The games’ story will be revealed through episodic additions, allowing players to create a future for themselves and other non-pats in a world on the brink of destruction.
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