by Battlefield 2042 developer DICE seems to be a little late in learning the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” lesson. After making tons of changes to the series’ formula with last year’s shooter, the team has spent the year not only improving the game, but making it more like the games of old now.
“In the Battlefield 2042 In Season 5, you’ll see how we’re focusing on previous games and how they may show up in the world of 2042,” Senior Producer Ryan MacArthur said in a roadmap blog post (opens in new tab).
Season 4 is scheduled for release in late December 2022, while Season 5 will ring in the new year in early 2023. According to DICE, it will “Bring new life to a mix of experienced developers alongside those working on their first game [into Battlefield 2042].”
Get a first look at what’s coming to #Battlefield 2042 next year⛑️ Introducing Classes🗺 Upcoming Map Overhauls👀 First Season 4 Details and Season 5Full Details 👇https://t.co/Nif8CVJeS8 pic.twitter.com/ smZqnGzIvzDecember 1, 2022
Season’s Greetings
A key part of this is the return of classes, a classic feature of the series that was removed with Battlefield 2042 and replaced with Specialists: characters with unique abilities that didn’t fit class roles. With the 3.2 update, DICE assigns all current Specialists “defined roles with a set of gadgets and gear best suited to their purpose on the battlefield,” writes MacArthur.
Another Specialist will be added with Season 4, and DICE plans to add him to the Recon class. “With the return to classes and our roster totaling 14, we are pleased with the amount of Specialists and variety of gameplay that you can experience.
“So we’ll continue to focus on your feedback to expand the sandbox in other ways, bringing in design and balance changes for your class-based combat, along with further expansion of skins and cosmetics to give you more ways to stand.” out on the battlefield.”
Alongside the final Specialist, the next update will bring a new map that MacArthur describes as “smaller, shorter, and more streamlined, designed for the close-range combat that Battlefield is famous for.”
While MacArthur keeps the details of Season 5 low, he says that the “new Season 5 map will be a forgotten battlefield last fought in the Battlefield 4 era. An overgrown area engulfed by vegetation and the War of 2042. This will encourage a combination of vehicle and infantry combat, meaning team play is key to victory.”
We can look forward to that in 2023.
