Next Battlefield Game Shifts Back to a Modern Setting and Introduces Key Fan-Requested Changes
Electronic Arts has shared new details about the upcoming Battlefield game, confirming a return to a modern-day setting and the removal of certain features from *Battlefield 2042* that divided fans.
While recent Battlefield titles explored World War I, World War II, and futuristic settings, the next game will take place in the modern era, as revealed in an IGN report. The first piece of concept art showcases a chaotic European city with a fire tearing through a forest, depicting both land and sea environments.
The game will also eliminate features from Battlefield 2042 that were unpopular with fans. For instance, Battlefield 2042 introduced 128-player maps, but players felt matches often lacked intensity, leading developers to revert to 64-player battles. The new game will feature a player count more in line with past Battlefield games. Vince Zampella, head of Battlefield, commented, "The 128-player matches didn’t necessarily make the game more enjoyable. We’re now focusing on creating dense, well-designed play spaces."
Another controversial aspect of Battlefield 2042 was the introduction of "Specialists," which replaced the traditional Class system. While Zampella praised the team for experimenting, he confirmed that Specialists won’t return, and the franchise will go back to its core Class-based system.
Zampella also addressed the competition with Call of Duty, stating that while the two franchises compete, Battlefield is focused on delivering its own distinct experience. He acknowledged the potential for the new game to outsell Call of Duty but emphasized that the focus is on creating something unique to Battlefield.
Although no release date has been confirmed, reports suggest the game could launch in October 2025. Zampella revealed that EA plans to introduce a testing program in 2025 to allow fans to try the game before its official release, aiming to rebuild trust with the community. It’s unclear whether this will be an open beta or another form of testing.
