Battlefield 2042 Devs Reveal Why There Will Be No Campaign
The Battlefield 2042 battle lines are drawn, with EA revealing the long-awaited wartime shooter to the world. Abandoning the typical World War II-based battles that have made the franchise a juggernaut, we're once again jumping into the future as the action moves to 2042.
As more and more first-person shooters cash in on their multiplayer capabilities, Battlefield 2042 devs have revealed why they've abandoned plans for a single-player campaign in favour of a wholly multiplayer experience. Remembering the divisive reception that Treyarch received with Call of Duty: Black Ops 4, is this a move in the right direction?
Why doesn't Battlefield 2042 have a single-player campaign?
Defending the lack of a campaign in Battlefield 2042, DICE General Manager Oskar Gabrielson told GamesRadar how a lack of single-player will allow the developer to "breathe". "This allows us to focus. We really want to push the scale here and deliver on our three key multiplayer experiences," said Gabrielson.
He continued, "That decision has allowed us to focus our efforts and really deliver on a number of quality-of-life improvements, and that's a really important thing for us. We'll still be able to deliver a compelling narrative within the world that we're building and, as you'll see, the world and the narrative will develop through the live service, and through the eyes of the Specialists".
Even if there won't be a main story-driven narrative like rival Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, Battlefield 2042 won't fully exclude single-player fans. Design Director Daniel Berlin says confirmed there will be a single version of All-Out Warfare, where players can drop in alongside bots to explore this weather-ravaged future.
"We can say, 'Hey, if you want to play this, and you want experience, you can pop in and play solo.' Or you can squad up with your friends and you can hop in and play against AI", said Berlin. "We have AI on your team as well. And while doing this, you'll still earn progression, unlock weapons, and all these things as well".
This way of thinking will apparently ease players into how Battlefield 2042 works in terms of things like helicopters, without the pressure of being ridiculed in multiplayer matches and being branded a noob.
Could Battlefield 2042 introduce a campaign?
Although there's a chance DICE could change tack and add a story in as DLC content, we just don't see it happening. Those behind the next-gen title seem adamant that taking Battlefield 2042 down the multiplayer route is the right way to go. Like we said earlier, this was a stance that Treyarch took with Black Ops 4 in 2018 - and one that didn't pay off.
Then again, at least Black Ops 4 had the Blackout battle royale mode that was billed as a substitute for a campaign. Further pulling the rug from beneath us all, Battlefield 2042 also won't have the rumoured battle royale mode. While games like Call of Duty: Warzone and Fortnite cash in on our current battle royale obsession, it's a real shame that Battlefield 2042 isn't following suit. With 128 players jumping into a match, it would've been great to see this play out in a battle royale.
DICE is sticking to its guns with a lack of campaign in Battlefield 2042. Then again, there has been a move away from traditional single-player stories in recent years. Even Black Ops Cold War was criticised for the length of its tiny story. While there are those of us who love to get to know the characters and backstory, it's clear we're in a minority of those who expect a traditional campaign in modern shooters.
Images via Electronic Arts
