It may feel like it’s been months since fans got any update about the nextBattlefieldgame, but thanks to a recent EA earnings call, fans now know thatBattlefield6is coming this year, with a full reveal of the game slated for spring. While a new entry in theBattlefieldfranchise is always an exciting time,Battlefield 6has some stiff competition inCall of Duty.
The last time aBattlefieldgame wenthead-to-head with aCall of Dutytitle was 2018’sBlack Ops 4,but a lot has changed in the industry since then. Battle royale games have continued to dominate, and there’s a heavier emphasis on free-to-play games than there ever has been. With 2021’sCall of Dutylikely launching around the same time asBattlefield 6,it’ll need to do a lot to separate itself from the competition.
Building a Better Battlefield
While not all of the criticism was in good faith,Battlefield 5was marred in controversyat launch. A lot of that controversy was levied at the game’s attempt to represent real-world demographics more accurately, but there were plenty of valid gameplay criticisms directed atBattlefield 5’sdesign decisions. Some of those have been fixed since the game launched, but others still need to be addressed in the next entry.
Making sure that each of the game’s classes feels distinct from the others is important, butBattlefield 6also needs to ensure that each class feels viable. For instance,Battlefield 5’sMedic class felt vastly underpowered in the early levels due to its emphasis on SMG weapons, which didn’t always click for players, especially on the large maps that theBattlefieldfranchiseis known for.Battlefield 4’s customization may very well be the bar, as it offered players tons of weapon options across each class.
If one thing is clear, fans are ready forBattlefield 6to return to a modern setting. It’s been nearly 5 years now since players got a modern entry, with the franchise spending half a decade in WW1 and WW2.Call of Duty: Modern Warfarewas praised for its return to modern times when it released back in 2019, and its larger-scale mode Ground War helped fill the hole left byBattlefield’sjaunt to the past.
With the number of weapons, vehicles, and equipment items available in modern settings,Battlefield 6can present more interesting gameplay. Increased customization results in matches that feel more dynamic, which is a big help in a game that emphasizes battlegrounds built to scale. With next-gen hardware now available, fans may get a leap similar to the one they saw moving fromBattlefield 4on the PS3 and Xbox 360 to the PS4 and Xbox One, with better graphics and more players in each match creating a truly massive fight each time.
Battlefield 6 vs. Call of Duty
It’s been a big few years for theCall of Dutyfranchise, and that could be trouble for the long-term health ofBattlefield 6.Call of Duty: Modern Warfarebroke franchise sales records, andCall of Duty: Warzonewas one of the defining games of 2020. Not to mention,Battlefieldwill be competing for the spotlight alongside whateverCall of Dutygame is revealed next. Not only is that competition for attention paramount forBattlefield’ssuccess, but it means that the competition for fans' wallets will also be key later this year.
To come out on top, EA and DICE need to put a heavy focus on what makesBattlefield,Battlefield.Large maps, massive battles, and dynamic destruction need to be at the front and center of everythingBattlefield 6reveals leading up to launch. Those that have managed to buy a PS5 and Xbox Series X are looking for fancy new graphics and physics to show them why their purchase was worth it, and few game series have managed to deliver those aspects as well asBattlefieldhas in the past.
While it may not be the case anymore,Battlefieldwas once regarded as the “realistic” first-person shooter of the two franchises, and with games likeEscape From Tarkovmaintaining their popularity, it’s clear that there’s still a demand for realistic shooters.Battlefielddoesn’t need to capture the same feeling, and the control scheme required forEscape From Tarkov’slevel of control simply isn’t possible with a controller, but giving players the same feeling of tactical engagements and realistic gunplay is a key factor here.
Limitless Potential
It isn’t clear ifBattlefield 6will come to both last-gen and current-gen consoles, and fans likely won’t know until the game is revealed later this year. With how difficult it is to find aPS5 or Xbox Series X, it seems likely that the game will also come to PS4 and Xbox One, but that may not be the best decision. Those stuck on last-gen hardware will undoubtedly be getting an inferior version of the game, likely one that can’t keep up with whatever new graphics or lightingBattlefield 6is almost certain to include.
EA was clear that it wantsBattlefield 6to boast immersive battles, and to truly do so that means taking advantage of the PS5 and Xbox Series X’s hardware. It may be worth it in the long run to dump the last-gen versions, though that does make it a lot harder for EA to recoup development costs from the game, given how much smaller the install base for the two new consoles is.
A good middle ground would be creating a top-notch campaign mode.Battlefield3’sand4’srespective campaigns weren’t groundbreaking per se, but they did a stellar job of showcasing how graphically striking the games were. WithModern WarfareandBlack Ops Cold Warboth putting a heavier emphasis on campaign modes, and Sledgehammer’s history of strong narratives in itsCall of Dutygames,Battlefield 6going above and beyond would be a great way for DICE to separate its game from the rest.
Luckily, fans only have a few months to wait until they get a taste of whatBattlefield 6has to offer. With a reveal slated for this spring and a release slated for this holiday season,Battlefieldfansshould have plenty to look forward to. If EA and DICE emphasize the technology that goes into creatingBattlefield 6,return to a modern setting, and pack in a stellar campaign,Battlefield 6could be the game fans have dreamed of.
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