Summary
The next release for theBattlefieldfranchise will arguably be the most important in its history, with the IP needing a real boost following the unfavorable launch of 2021’sBattlefield 2042. While there is not a lot of information regarding the next release for the franchise, it seems sensible that it should avoid a 2024 release date at all costs.
Despite its pitfalls,Battlefield 2042has faced a resurgence in popularity in recent months thanks to some smart post-launch updates. DICE should continue this and give more time to any future projects for the IP. At the same time,Battlefieldwill need to make up its lost ground against theCall of Dutyfranchise, andCoD’s 2024 plans may be too popular for a newBattlefieldto realistically compete against.
While a newBattlefieldrelease is expected in the near future, the title has not yet been officially announced by DICE.
A New Battlefield Would Be Better Off With a 2025 Release
Battlefield 2042’s famously problematic launchstemmed from the lack of expected content that it possessed upon release, with many fans instantly labeling it as a rushed project. Despite foregoing fan-favoriteBattlefieldexperiences like a single-player story, the core gameplay of2042lacked things like a traditional class system and even in-game leaderboards at launch.
The player counts ofBattlefield 2042across all platforms quickly droppedonly weeks after its release, with the franchise slipping further away from victory in its longstanding competition against FPS giantCall of Duty. With that being said, some fantastic recent in-game seasons have revived the community of the game, with new maps and experiences combining with free-to-play weekends to give the title a new lease of life.
Still, the initial negativity surroundingBattlefield 2042has created a monumental task for its successor, and DICE needs to get the next release absolutely right to avoid further damage to the franchise’s reputation. A 2024 release for the nextBattlefieldgame would undoubtedly step on the toes ofthe recent success thatBattlefield2042has enjoyed. DICE should use the time it has bought itself to focus on 2025 and beyond instead.
Battlefield Should Avoid Competing Against Call of Duty in 2024
Aside from this, the industry is already expecting huge things fromCall of Dutyin 2024, with the franchise moving away from its recent focus on theModern Warfarereboot. 2024’sCoDrelease is rumored to be abrand-newBlack Opsexperience set during the Gulf War, with the iconic studio Treyarch having had a long period of uninterrupted development for the project. This seems like a huge deviation fromCoD’s recent identity that will attract a lot of attention, and the nextBattlefieldwould be wise to distance itself fromCall of Duty’s 2024 plans.
Interestingly, information has even been circulating around what 2025 may hold forCall of Duty, withrumors pointing towards a semi-futuristic sequel toBlack Ops 2. This project seems to be more in-line with the recentModern Warfarereleases for the IP, likely possessing a lot of remade content fromBO2in the way of maps and weapons. The familiarity that a game like that would possess would be perfect for a newBattlefieldgame to contrast later, making a 2025 release a much safer route for the franchise. It remains to be seen what the nextBattlefieldgame will hold, but it is very important that DICE lets2042stabilize even further while dodging a possible collision withCall of Duty’s prospects for 2024.
