After much anticipation, EA finally revealed Battlefield 2042, the next installment in the publisher's blockbuster shooter franchise.
Battlefield 2042 drops players into the near-future with the world on the brink, ravaged by climate change and global warframe. Food and water shortages and energy problems have resulted in the collapse of dozens of nations, creating a global refugee crises. America and Russia are at war. It's a dark, but somewhat realistic take on what the near future could look like.
It's also the perfect backdrop for all-out warfare. Battlefield 2042 expands upon the series large-scale battles increasing the size of the maps and total number of players on next-gen consoles. Conquest and Breakthrough matches will feature up to 128 players on PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PS5. On Xbox One and PS4, the maps will be smaller and allow for up to 64 players.
While Battlefield 2042 won't feature a traditional campaign or battle royale mode, EA did tease two additional multiplayer modes. Hazard Zone is "an all-new, high-stakes, squad-based game-type for the Battlefield franchise that is a modern take on the multiplayer experience that is distinctly DICE but very different from All-Out Warfare’s Conquest or Breakthrough modes." The third most mode, in development by DICE LA, is still unannounced, but described as "a love letter to Battlefieldfans and one that long-time players will feel right at home with."
Players will take on the role of Non-Patriated Specialists fighting on both sides of the war, but not for a specific flag. Instead, they are fighting for the future of Non-Patriated in this new world. Players can customize their Specialist loadouts and equip with their own unique Specialist Trait and Specialty.
Of course, it wouldn't be Battlefield without all of the vehicles and game-chaning destruction. The climate change aspect of the game will allow for maps to evolve and change over the course of battle, and we get a brief look at that in the reveal trailer.
Battlefield 2042 is a first-person shooter that marks the return to the iconic all-out warfare of the franchise. Adapt and overcome in a near-future world transformed by disorder. Squad up and bring a cutting-edge arsenal into dynamically-changing battlegrounds supporting 128 players*, unprecedented scale, and epic destruction.
Battlefield 2042 releases on October 22, 2021. It will cost $69.99 on Xbox Series X|S and PS5, and $59.99 on Xbox One, PS4, and PC. Tune in on June 13 for a first look at Battlefield 2042 gameplay.