Battlefield 2042 Will Be Filled With Bots To Help Servers
Electronic Arts is rolling the "dice" as Battlefield 2042 confirms bots will become a big part of the game's lobbies. DICE is once again back behind the wheel for the follow-up to 2018's disappointing Battlefield V. Divisively ditching a single-player campaign AND fan-favourite battle royale mode in favour of a wholly multiplayer experience, it also turns out Battlefield 2042 will be padding out its lobbies with bots.
With the inevitable debate of whether Call of Duty or Battlefield is the superior wartime shooter sure to rear its head, Battlefield 2042 is (unsurprisingly) jumping into a dystopian future with extreme weather and much more. The massive reveal trailer teased what's to come, and with few titles offering you a fight in an active tornado, Battlefield 2042 looks like one to watch.
Why is Battlefield 2042 using bots?
Over on the Battlefield Briefing EA Answers Page, DICE explained how bots will come into play during matchmaking. Despite the game being able to support 128 players in a match, EA confirmed the use of AI Soldiers as it wrote: "Also new is the introduction of AI Soldiers (Artificial Intelligence) to the series. As a multiplayer-only experience, it’s important for us to let you play Battlefield 2042 when and how you want".
Away from the idea of bots ensuring all matches are filled with 128 players, the post also claims bots transform Battlefield 2042 from a multiplayer game to a co-operative or single-player game. Hmm, we're not quite sure about that one.
The post continues to discuss how Conquest and Breakthrough modes let gamers enjoy a co-op experience that "allows you to play together with friends, against AI soldiers". DICE says there's even a solo version for playing on your own as it adds, "If you wish to perfect your skills for multiplayer, you can even play alone against AI soldiers".
Are bots the way forward in Battlefield 2042?
Of course, the issue of bots is sure to be a divisive one in Battlefield 2042 - especially with how skilled they'll be. No one likes tearing their way through wave after wave of mindless bots, but only recently, we covered how PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds came under fire for introducing Terminator bots. Even if the idea of honing your skills with bots before having to face-off against skilled players is a tempting one, we'd say it's still a long way off being able to class Battlefield 2042 as having a traditional single-player.
Current-gen versions of Battlefield 2042 on the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One are limited to just 64 players per match, which means we're in danger of being overrun by bots. On the plus side, introducing bots is another milestone for Battlefield 2042 that will let you experience the action without relying on filling your squad with other live players. Previously, titles like Battlefield 1942 forced you to play with others.
EA has confirmed there's another mode set to be revealed later this year, while there are reports the divisive skill-based matchmaking might not be part of the game. Battlefield 2042 might not look like a perfect game, but taking what's made the franchise so popular over the past 19 years and running with it, 2021's showstopper looks to be the most inventive Battlefield yet.