In a recent interview with investors, Electronic Arts (EA) CEO Andrew Wilson shared a series of promises related to the Battlefield series, including details about the yet-to-be-announced latest installment.
New Battlefield and the Road Ahead
During the conversation with investors, Wilson frequently mentioned the Battlefield series. He acknowledged the shortcomings of Battlefield 2042 and shared insights about the upcoming installment. He stated:
“We have created an extraordinary team of creative leaders. I have great confidence in this team and the progress they are making towards the future of the Battlefield franchise.”
Although Wilson did not provide a release date for the new game, he emphasized that the latest Battlefield is “firmly embedded in the first pillar of the company’s strategy.”
A Possible Return of Battlelog
An interesting aspect of the conversation alluded to the potential return of Battlelog, or a similar meta-gaming platform that enables players to view statistics and switch between games. Wilson explained:
“We don’t just make games. We are building content as a platform to drive live services for decades to come.”
However, the concept of a live service could also imply the introduction of a large subscription for future Battlefield games. Wilson mentioned that the company has “an opportunity to bring Battlefield back in a completely new setting”.
Considering that both Battlefield V and 2042 featured season passes, this type of solution might conflict with the goal of returning Battlefield to its roots.
Challenges Facing the Battlefield Franchise
The last two Battlefield titles, V and 2042, were met with mixed reception. Many aspects of these games fell short—gameplay was simplified for a broader audience, leading to a shallow experience; radical changes were introduced, such as the removal of classes and leaderboards; and a controversial business model was implemented with the season pass.
It’s no surprise that fans fondly remember earlier iterations like Battlefield 3 and 4. The future of the Battlefield series will depend on how the upcoming installment addresses these concerns.
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