It is no secret that the launch of Battlefield 2042 has not gone in the direction DICE and EA wanted it to go. Released only a few months ago, Battlefield 2042 is already falling out of positive relevancy and hype due to the glitch-prone and bare-bones nature of its gameplay.
The negative critical reception to the game necessitates immediate changes to salvage a player base and increase longevity, as DICE will surely know. With 2042 rapidly declining in popularity, DICE must capitalize and focus on the game's most popular game modes, namely the popular Portal mode, which has provided a nostalgic saving grace for the controversial title. Of the options currently available to DICE, making the mode free to play could prove to be a lucrative one.
The Tumultuous Battlefield 2042 Launch Explained
It is poignant, when discussing these unprecedented changes that DICE may have to make, to first outline what fostered this back-foot position. The pre-launch hype for Battlefield 2042 was palpable, with fans having eagerly awaited a current/futuristic era Battlefield title for over 7 years following the release of Battlefield Hardline in 2015. With action packed trailers boasting and promising intensely saturated 128-player next generation gameplay, a high bar of expectation was inevitably set.
So, when Battlefield 2042 released laden with glitches and being visibly less engaging than what fans were expecting, critical condemnation was bound to occur. This glaringly underwhelming state of release proved to be devastating for the retention of the game's player base, with the 24-hour player count for the game consistently declining since the initial peak immediately after the game's launch.
Another underwhelming aspect of Battlefield 2042 has undoubtedly been the much-anticipated Hazard Zone game mode. Billed to be a squad based Escape From Tarkov style loot-and-extract survival mode that necessitated more cautious and perceptive gameplay, the mode also fell flat amongst gamers at launch and beyond. With Hazard Mode being one of the most anticipated aspects of Battlefield 2042 prior to launch, the lack of content and purpose in the final product was another blow to the game's reception.
These factors have ultimately fostered the current state of the game, in which DICE is unable to feasibly carry out its long-term roadmap for the game in the way it would have wanted, with serious decisions now needing to be made to re-ignite the game in terms of relevancy and audience.
The Comparative Success of Portal Mode
The aforementioned Portal mode is one of Battlefield 2042's three primary game modes, and undoubtedly the most well-received by gamers. Portal is a mode in which players can play online in a variety of older and iconic Battlefield tiles, namely Battlefield 1942, Battlefield Bad Company 2, Battlefield 3 and of course Battlefield 2042. Not only this, players can also mix and match assets and elements of these prior titles to create unique and entertaining custom game modes via Portal, providing endless possibilities and high replay value.
While it is somewhat ironic that the main success and allure of Battlefield 2042 is the ability to re-experience the enjoyment of older titles, it is an element of the current state of the game that DICE could and perhaps should capitalize on. With rumors of DICE and EA moving to make Battlefield 2042 free to play increasing in intensity, a less controversial middle ground could be achieved by limiting free to play to just the Portal mode.
Why a Free to Play Portal Mode Makes Sense
With initial rumors positing that the entirety of Battlefield 2042 would be made free to play, fans who had spent $70+ on the game were rightfully annoyed. After all, a AAA title that launched at recommended retail price going entirely free to play not even four months after release is completely unprecedented, and will inevitably leave hundreds of thousands of paying customers out of pocket.
This critique of a free to play change can be partially yet effectively circumnavigated by limiting just the Portal mode to free to play. As previously mentioned, Portal being the most well received mode amongst fans will give it the pulling power and allure necessary to attract the highest amount of potential players. Additionally, its versatility of offering gameplay of an array of beloved prior Battlefield titles will increase this appeal to a much broader net of players, without compromising the gameplay and experience of 2042 itself.
To further preserve the integrity of Battlefield 2042 and the players who purchased it, additional content such as more maps and game modes within 2042 can remain exclusive to those who have purchased the title, giving deserved extras and benefits to paying customers whilst providing an incentive those who get hooked on a free to play Portal mode to consider purchasing the main game themselves. Whilst a sizable revenue stream could still be produced by this free to play model via the implementation of a battle pass that could span across, and give content for, the previous titles that Portal offers, a growth and maintenance of a player base as 2042 inevitably becomes more polished via updates will see sales increase overtime. With the game currently shrouded in uncertainty, it remains that DICES next steps are absolutely crucial.
Battlefield 2042 is out now for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.
