Battlefield 2042 will now launch one month later than originally planned, according to developer DICE and publisher EA. Previously set to launch on October 22, the first-person shooter will now deploy on November 19. 

In an update provided by EA DICE General Manager Oskar Gabrielson and the development team, it's clear that Battlefield 2042 needs a bit more polish before release, but more importantly, that the team needs to be able to do so safely.

It also appears fans will be learning more about the Open Beta very soon, though no further details were shared.

We've made the decision to shift the launch of Battlefield 2042. The game will now be released worldwide on November 19th, 2021. 

Building the next generation of Battlefield during the global pandemic has created unforeseen challenges for our development teams. Given the scale and scope of the game, we had hoped our teams would be back in our studios together as we move towards launch. With the ongoing conditions not allowing that to happen safely, and with all the hard work the teams are doing from home, we feel it is important to take the extra time to deliver on the vision of Battlefield 2042 for our players. 

Your enthusiasm for the game has been very inspiring. We belive in the game we're making, and we thank you for your patience as we put some finishing touches into the experience. 

Updates on the Open Beta will be coming later this month. 

EA DICE provided an extensive, and impressive, look at Battlefield 2042 earlier this year, in which the game's multiplayer modes and weather systems were showcased. The game will release on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Series X|S. 

In a series of Xbox exclusives, EA released released its bold first look at Battlefield 2042 gameplay during the Microsoft E3 2021 conference. Stating that the footage was taken from in-game matches with up to 128 players, this felt like the true return to form for Battlefield. 

The big focus of the gameplay reveal was the importance of vehicular combat, which for years has been an integral part of Battlefield DNA. In the gameplay trailer, we see helicopters, jets, tanks, quads, and even tripodal bikes peppered around its frankly ridiculously massive-looking maps. While the moniker is often slapped onto various military shooters, this truly feels like all-out warfare. At least so far. 

Making a return from Battlefield Hardline, players are able to mount skyscrapers and zip across to other rooftops. And it seems that many elements from different games have made their way into 2042, such as Battlefield 4’s levolution. However, it isn’t just an amped-up version of what has come before. We got a glimpse at some of the new gameplay features making their way into this latest entry.

We also got our first look at dynamic events in action – something unveiled in its reveal trailer earlier this week. The desert-based city is approached by a sandstorm and eventually a tornado, which begins to suck players and vehicles up in the air, who can then steer their way through the skies with the help of a wingsuit.

This isn’t the only addition to traversal (if you want to call it that), as players will now be able to use a grappling hook to access unreachable areas – we see a player use theirs to reach an adjacent crane.

And the final big addition shown in action is 2042’s new weapons customization system, which allows players to customize on the fly. This is likely to cater to the constantly changing environmental circumstances of a game this size. Players familiar with the customization system found in the Crysis games will recognize this new streamlined approach.

Battlefield 2042 intends to make a statement as the true next-gen multiplayer experience. While the game will be available on previous-gen consoles, it is clear to see that next-gen will be the best place to play with its intimidatingly large maps and massive player count. Battlefield 2042 will arrive on PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and PC on October 22.

As expected, Electronic Arts has revealed the next entry in the Battlefield franchise during a recent live stream event. Battlefield 2042 (not to be confused with the 2006 title, Battlefield 2142) will release on October 22 for PC, PlayStation 4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S. 

Unlike every Battlefield game going back for the past 15 years, Battlefield 2042 will not have a single-player campaign. Instead, it will focus on multiplayer completely, harkening back to the first three games in the series. However, it will not have a battle royale component. At least at launch and as of this writing. 

Multiplayer will feature 128 players on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. Player counts will be limited to 64 on PS4 and Xbox One. 

EA and DICE released a 5-minute in-engine cinematic trailer during the live stream event. That trailer can be seen at the top of this article. It shows a number of frenetic engagements across a wide variety of locales, many of which are presumably indicative of the types of maps found in the final game.

There are already quite a few previews out on the new Battlefield, many of which, including this one from Eurogamer, point out that there will be ways to influence moment-to-moment match gameplay. These variables seem to be baked into the maps, such as the rocket launch mentioned by Eurogamer, or the storms and tornadoes seen in the trailer and mentioned by Game Informer. 

All in all, it does appear the next Battlefield will embrace the "all out warfare" moniker EA's ascribed to during its development. DICE General Manager Oskar Gabrielson said in April:

I can tell you it is a bold step. It has everything we love about Battlefield – and takes all of it to the next level. Epic scale. All-out military warfare. Crazy, unexpected moments. Game-changing destruction. Massive battles, packed with more players and mayhem than ever before. All brought to life with the power of next-gen consoles and PCs.

Right now, it's unclear how many modes Battlefield 2042 will have once it launches, though a press release regarding the reveal mentioned Conquest, Breakthrough, and Hazard Zone modes, the latter of which is "an all-new, high-stakes squad-based game-type." EA said it's "different" than the other two modes mentioned, but they didn't elaborate just yet. There is a fourth game mode in the works, only described as a "love letter to Battlefield fans." 

The end of the Battlefield 2042 cinematic reveal trailer said that fans can expect a gameplay reveal on June 13, which just so happens to fall directly during E3 2021. Even though the developer and publisher isn't officially taking part in E3, it seems they'll hold some type of live stream anyway. 

Battlefield 2042 can be pre ordered now on Origin, Steam, the PlayStation Store, and the Microsoft store. It's also available physically through Amazon and other physical retailers. 

There are three versions available, though they retail for different prices depending on the platform they're purchased for. 

• Standard Edition
  • $59.99 (PC, PS4, Xbox One)
  • $69.99 (PS5 and Xbox Series X|S)
• Gold Edition
  • $89.99 (PC)
  • $99.99 (Console)
• Ultimate Edition
  • $109.99 (PC)
  • $119.99 (Console)

As is usual, there will be a 10-hour EA Play members-only trial ahead of launch, starting on October 15. Those who sub to EA Play and/or pre order Battlefield 2042 ahead of launch will also gain access to the Battlefield 2042 beta, though specific dates and times haven't yet been shared. 

Stay tuned for more on Battlefield 2042 as we learn it. 

The Battlefield series has always offered up a fantastic slice of adrenaline-fueled action. But even some of those that love the more recent entries look back and reminisce about the golden days of Battlefield. And a return to those earlier titles could be just what Battlefield 6 provides. 

As the first entry to utilize the capabilities of next-gen hardware, and with the domineering success of Warzone looming over anything FPS, many eyes are on Battlefield 6, many waiting to see whether the newest entry in the storied franchise can blast its way back into classic form, and once again stand toe-to-toe with the best.

With DICE General Manager Oskar Gabrielson stating that the next entry [in the Battlefield series] will bring “epic scale”, “all-out military warfare” and “crazy, unexpected moments,” we can’t help but get think about what's to come. 

With that said, there are a number of boxes that Battlefield 6 will inevitably have to check (six, in fact) to be hit the target. Let’s get into it.

A Real Focus on Weapons

While it’s not the sole offender in the shooter genre, Battlefield’s arsenals have steadily and progressively diminished over time, leaving fewer and fewer guns for players to choose from. It's something made even more prominent with more recent entries locking weapons to specific classes.

With a dwindling variety in weapon choice, it has become incredibly common (and easy) to pick one weapon and stick with it. And with dull upgrade trees, customizing weapons can be all but ignored by the casual player. 

With a rumored return to a modern setting, Battlefield 6 needs to make weapon choice and customization a priority. A quick glance at any weapon menu in Battlefield 3 or Battlefield 4 highlights the abysmal state into which weapon selection has evolved with Battlefield 1 and Battlefield V.

However, weapon choice and weapon variety are not the only issues on this front.  

Alongside some of its contemporaries, Battlefield’s weapons have not stood the test of time; they feel comparatively weak and samey. Jump into a game of Apex Legends or Warzone, and weapons feel unique, whether that be the quick and snappy R99 or weighty and powerful AX-50. Battlefield 6 has the opportunity to make handling each of its guns a real sense of personality, and with Sony's Duelsense showing how effective haptic feedback and adaptive triggers can be, the possibilities become quite interesting. 

Game-Changing Destruction

Destruction is what makes Battlefield Battlefield. No other modern shooter provides the highs that come with leveling a building or crashing your way through a wall to make a new path. And of course, let’s not forget the series once let us topple an entire skyscraper.

However, over the last two entries, destruction has taken a noticeable step back, despite their use of the Frostbite 3 engine. While some maps may allow you to flatten a town, à la Narvik in Battlefield V, they feel more like set pieces than anything else; there's an uneven selection of what can and can't be destroyed.

Reintroducing the types of destruction found in games like Battlefield 2 and Battlefield Bad Company, would reinstill a sense of diversity in gameplay. Destruction wouldn’t just be an obstacle to an end, but once again, a tactic unto itself.

Larger but Balanced Matches

Collectively, scaled map size and a balanced player count are incredibly important to the success of Battlefield 6. Behemoth maps, such as Caspians Border in Battlefield 4 and the classic Operation Metro from Battlefield 3, have been among the most visually impressive in the series. Combine those map designs with a swelling score and a full squad at your back, and these conflicts are nothing short of magical.

However, over the years, Battlefield has garnered a reputation for developing maps too big for squads. Battlefield V features some truly stunning and colossal maps, but with teams capped at 32 players, these battlegrounds can often feel empty, resulting in long, uninterrupted spells of running towards the combat zone, rather than being in it. Get killed just before you make it or just as you enter the fray, and entire matches could be spent simply running from point to point. 

With the latest tech fueling their upcoming venture, and an already rumored 128+ player count, hopefully, Battlefield 6 is setting out to find the right balance between team and map size.   

To be a True Next-Gen Experience

After delays and months of silence, it was confirmed that Battlefield 6 would be coming to both current and last-gen consoles. With a far more blended progression from one generation to the next – along with the continuing stock issues of next-gen consoles – it really comes as no surprise that EA wouldn’t want to isolate millions of last-gen players.

However, as typical team-based multiplayer experiences such as Call of Duty remain fundamentally the same as they were 15 years ago, and battle royales having hung around for over half a decade, there is the hope that Battlefield could usher in the true beginning of next-gen multiplayer.

Battlefield has always been associated with jaw-dropping graphics and a scale nearly unparalleled in the online space. Now that we can play games with 200 other players on enormous maps, however, Battlefield really needs to pull out all the stops. 

While understandably unlikely, Battlefield could easily focus on a top-of-the-line experience on next-gen consoles and PC. An unrestricted version of Battlefield 6 could allow the entry to act as a return to classic form for the franchise, giving it the means to set a new standard for modern multiplayer shooters. 

Since that won't happen, at least we know the game will receive boosted performance with next-gen patches and upgrades, much like how titles such as Call of Duty Black Ops Cold War and Assassin's Creed Valhalla have. Let's hope, however, that this split between both generations doesn't mean we'll get more of the same. 

Revamped Battle Royale 

Ok, nobody is going to cry over the failure of Firestorm, the ill-fated battle royale locked within Battlefield V. Compare Firestorm to really any battle royale and you’ll quickly notice the blatant balancing issues, messy UI, and overall lackluster experience. However, the reason battle royale has made it onto this list is that there is a fantastic battle royale game within Firestorm, and EA and Dice just need the opportunity to root it out.

Just as Blackout walked so Warzone could run, Firestorm could be the learning experience DICE needs to burst their way into the market, bringing with it all the destruction, gameplay, map design and scale that Battlefield has been known for.

One of Firestorm’s biggest mistakes was locking its mode behind a paywall, meaning players had to buy Battlefield V to play Firestorm. While a free-to-play battle royale may seem counterproductive to the success of Battlefield 6, linking the experience with each new title, as we’ve seen with Modern Warfare and Cold War, could snowball interest in this franchise – something that they’ve recently struggled with.

Streamlined Live Service Elements

Battlefield has mustered up a committed community, with lobbies still being filled in the now eight-year-old Battlefield 4, but when it comes to mainstream audiences, recent outings have struggled to maintain reasons to play.

With Battlefield V taking a step in the right direction by dropping the paid season pass a full year before Call of Duty, it ultimately failed to keep players interested with a lack of post-launch content. With Warzone currently enjoying its 80s Action Heroes event, and Apex Legends a few weeks into its ninth season, Battlefield 6 must learn how to maintain a steady flow of content that will keep its players, well, playing.

Recent statements from EA CEO Andrew Wilson also highlight the live service elements that will be making their way into the upcoming installment. Wilson told GameSpot, “And I think it's going to be an amazing relaunch of that franchise this year and will lead us into an incredible live service for the future."

---

Undeniably, there is a lot of pressure on the upcoming Battlefield. It needs to succeed in so many places to stand among those that are currently dominating the FPS landscape. But not only has the expectation of games changed since its last outing, but the climate of the industry itself has as well. We have our fingers crossed that Battlefield 6 will survive the war to come. 

We finally have some more information on the upcoming Battlefield game, thanks to a statement released by DICE from General Manager Oskar Gabrielson. 

This update may not come with a gameplay reveal or new trailer, but it is still worth noting as it points to such a thing being shown to us soon, potentially.

Gabrielson said the next installment will be "a bold step" and that the game is currently being playtested. Though the game's target platforms weren't mentioned specifically, Gabrielson did say the next Battlefield, whether it's called Battlefield 6 or something different, will be "brought to life with the power of next-gen consoles and PCs." 

2021 is an exciting time for us here at DICE. Working with more world-class development studios within Electronic Arts, we have our biggest team ever on a Battlefield game for console and PC.

Our friends at Criterion and DICE LA are working with us on our shared vision for the game, while the team in Gothenburg is taking technology in the game to the next level. Together, we are creating a jaw-dropping experience for you to enjoy later in 2021.

We’re in daily playtesting mode right now: polishing, balancing, and making the best possible Battlefield game we can. I can tell you it is a bold step. It has everything we love about Battlefield – and takes all of it to the next level. Epic scale. All-out military warfare. Crazy, unexpected moments. Game-changing destruction. Massive battles, packed with more players and mayhem than ever before. All brought to life with the power of next-gen consoles and PCs.

Get ready for our reveal “soon"

Of course "soon" could mean a variety of things, but with June a little over a month away, "soon" could almost definitely mean E3, which wouldn't be uncommon for a Battlefield reveal as we've seen previous installments revealed at the summer event in the past. E3 will be from June 12 to June 15. 

Though there are still many things we don't know about whatever the new Battlefield will be, such as when it will take place, exactly which consoles it will release on, if it will feature a battle royale mode, it's clear that Battlefield is expanding not just with this upcoming release but also with the announcement of a mobile game too. 

The last time we got a new Battlefield game was with Battlefield V in 2018, which took the series back to World War II. In our review, we said, "Battlefield V goes through the motions, trodding a well-worn path that is all at once fun and adrenaline pumping but somehow still terribly rote." 

Having wrapped up support for Star Wars: Battlefront 2, DICE has been working on a new Battlefield game, something we've known for some time. Released in 2018, the last game in the first-person shooter franchise, Battlefield V, saw frequent post-launch updates until this summer.

Fans have been awaiting news of the next installment for some time,  and EA has finally given us a better idea of what we can expect and when we'll be able to see more of the game. 

EA provided a brief look at a next-gen tech demo of the upcoming Battlefield game at EA Play 2020, but there wasn't much of anything tangible to the reveal.

Speaking during EA's latest earnings call, CEO Andrew Wilson promised that this currently untitled sequel would be emblematic of the developer's "next-gen vision for the franchise." Wilson said that the anticipated release date of the game is Holiday 2021 and that more news will be shared in the next few months.  

DICE is creating our next Battlefield game with never before seen scale. The technical advancements of the new consoles are allowing the team to deliver a true next-gen vision for the franchise. We have hands-on testing underway internally, and the team's been getting very positive feedback on the game as we've begun to engage our community.

The next Battlefield is set to launch in Holiday 2021, we're excited to share a lot more about the game in the spring."

Talking further about this, Wilson also confirmed that they've rallied the entire DICE studio around Battlefield, giving the team an extra year of development to realize their ambitious goal. Stay tuned to GameSkinny as we find out more.