Enthusiasts of the Battlefield series are eagerly anticipating what's next, following the conclusion of post-launch support for Battlefield 2042 with Season 7. The spotlight now shifts to the upcoming project, which must navigate the legacy of 2042's tumultuous launch and subsequent redemption. Emerging reports hint at the development path for this future title.
Rumors indicate that the next Battlefield installment will involve a collaborative effort among four EA-owned studios, with Motive Studio being the latest addition. While this partnership could bring benefits, history shows that titles like Call of Duty struggled with coordination issues when multiple studios were involved, a pitfall that Battlefield may also encounter.
Potential Challenges of Multi-Studio Development for the Next Battlefield
Recent leaks suggest that DICE, Criterion, Ripple Effect, and now Motive will jointly lead the development of the next Battlefield game. Despite Motive's expertise with EA and the Frostbite engine, showcased in titles like Star Wars: Squadrons and the upcoming Dead Space remake, their concurrent work on the Iron Man game with Marvel raises concerns about divided attention during critical phases of the new Battlefield project.
The strategy of engaging multiple studios in development, a tactic long used by Call of Duty, has yielded mixed results. For instance, Call of Duty: Vanguard in 2021 divided tasks between Sledgehammer Games and Treyarch, leading to inconsistencies across different game modes. Similar issues plagued Modern Warfare 3 in 2013, developed by Sledgehammer, Infinity Ward, and Treyarch, resulting in a lack of cohesive identity and gameplay experience.
The next Battlefield iteration must address the aftermath of 2042's reception, focusing on reconnecting with the series' core elements after straying in the previous installment. To achieve this, the franchise should consider a back-to-basics approach, which might be hindered by introducing a studio unfamiliar with Battlefield into the development mix. Learning from Call of Duty's past challenges, Battlefield must strive to maintain a clear and consistent vision for its upcoming title.
Balancing Act: Complexity vs. Coherence in Multi-Studio Development
The impending Battlefield release must navigate a path of recovery post-2042's turbulent launch phase. Criticisms of 2042 centered on its departure from the franchise's essence, lacking key features like a campaign and class system. Steering towards simplicity and coherence in the new title is crucial, making the integration of a studio without prior Battlefield experience a potential risk. While Motive's involvement could bring innovation, Battlefield should remain cautious of repeating the missteps witnessed in the Call of Duty series.