Electronic Arts has announced that three Battlefield games, Battlefield 3, Battlefield 4, and Battlefield: Hardline, will be removed from digital storefronts on July 31st. These Battlefield titles will no longer be available for purchase on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 platforms.

The Battlefield series, developed by DICE and published by Electronic Arts, is a long-running franchise of first-person shooter games that focus on large-scale, multiplayer warfare. The series debuted in 2002 with Battlefield 1942, set during World War 2, and has since expanded to include various historical and modern settings. Known for its emphasis on teamwork, vehicle combat, and expansive maps, Battlefield games often feature different classes of soldiers and diverse gameplay modes. Despite the franchise's tremendous popularity, older titles are beginning to be delisted from certain platforms.

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Battlefield 3, Battlefield 4, and Battlefield: Hardline will be removed from digital storefronts on July 31 along with all their downloadable content on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 platforms. In addition, as announced in June by EA, the online services for these three Battlefield games will cease on November 7 on these platforms. However, players who already own these games will still have access to their single-player components.

Battlefield Games Being Delisted on July 31

• Battlefield 3 (Xbox 360 & PlayStation 3)
• Battlefield 4 (Xbox 360 & PlayStation 3)
• Battlefield: Hardline (Xbox 360 & PlayStation 3)

This decision marks a significant moment in the lifecycle of these Battlefield titles, as EA focuses on "sunsetting" older games. As explained by the developer, "sunsetting" refers to the process of retiring a game from active sale and online support. Despite this move, Battlefield 3 will remain playable on PC, and Battlefield 4 and Battlefield: Hardline will still be accessible on PC, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4 as the delisting does not impact these platforms.

Battlefield 3, launched in 2011, showcased the advanced Frostbite 2 engine, delivering realistic graphics and physics in a modern military setting with a gripping single-player campaign and extensive multiplayer modes. In 2013, Battlefield 4 introduced the Frostbite 3 engine, enhancing destruction capabilities and dynamic environments. The game featured a compelling single-player campaign and an expansive multiplayer experience with the innovative Commander Mode for strategic support. Battlefield: Hardline, released in 2015 by Visceral Games, shifted to a police vs. criminals theme with a crime drama narrative in single-player and urban warfare and heists in multiplayer. Sadly, for fans, these games will be joining other Battlefield titles that have been delisted.

As EA continues to evolve its offerings, the sunsetting of these games reflects a natural progression in the industry, despite the enduring popularity of older Battlefield titles. While the decision to remove these titles from digital storefronts may be disappointing for some, it highlights the ongoing development and focus on newer experiences within the Battlefield franchise.

Battlefield

EA's Battlefield franchise is a series of first-person shooter games. The games have predominantly been set in the modern day, though there have also been titles set in World War 1, World War 2, and in the near future.

The Battlefield franchise is often compared to Call of Duty, with both franchises offering single-player campaigns and online multiplayer.