The storied Battlefield franchise is gearing up for a major strategic shift with its next entry, reportedly planning to launch with a free-to-play battle royale mode in an effort to stay relevant in the evolving FPS landscape.
The last few years have been turbulent for Battlefield developer DICE and publisher EA. Battlefield V in 2018 underperformed commercially despite a solid multiplayer experience. But the real disaster came with 2021’s Battlefield 2042, which launched in an unfinished state leading to scathing reviews and lackluster sales.
This one-two punch left the future of Battlefield in question. EA reportedly considered dropping the numbered entries entirely after 2042’s failure. But it seems Battlefield will soldier on, albeit with some key changes to the formula.
Going Free-to-Play
According to a report by Tom Henderson of Insider Gaming, the next Battlefield releasing in late 2025 will come bundled with a free-to-play battle royale mode.
Past efforts at a Battlefield battle royale required owning the base game, limiting the player pool. Making it free puts Battlefield’s BR up against heavyweights like Fortnite, Apex Legends and Warzone.
The mode is reportedly in development at Ripple Effect Studios, formerly known for the classic Medal of Honor franchise. Ripple Effect has assisted with recent Battlefield games, making them well-suited for a standalone F2P BR experience.
BR Boom or Bust?
The success of titles like Fortnite and Apex Legends has proven the revenue potential of free multiplayer titles supported by battle passes and microtransactions. And Battlefield’s large-scale maps and vehicle combat seem like a natural fit.
But the crowded battle royale market poses challenges. Toppling the established giants won’t be easy. And many feel Battlefield has already missed the boat on capitalizing on the BR craze.
Still, a F2P component helps expand Battlefield’s reach and provides a continuous revenue stream beyond the initial sale. It also gives EA a potential substitute for Call of Duty following tensions with PlayStation in the wake of Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard.
Battlefield’s new business model marks a pivotal turning point. Will it revitalize a struggling franchise? Or will it dilute the traditional Battlefield experience? Much remains uncertain.
But EA seems committed to getting Battlefield back on track after two misfires. While some single-player focused fans may balk at the pivot to free-to-play multiplayer, it may be what Battlefield needs to reclaim relevance in the hyper-competitive FPS space. The next game will determine if Battlefield’s bold bet pays off.
