Despite being barely confirmed in any official capacity, next Battlefield the entry had received a steady stream of leaks and rumors over the past year or so. Many of these came courtesy of Insider Gaming's Tom Henderson. One of Henderson's reports from February this year claimed that next Battlefield would ship with a standalone, Ripple Effect-developed Battle Royale mode, following a similar strategy as Call of Duty and it is self-contained War zone BR mode.
About a month ago, Vince Zampella finally spilled the beans on some of the next Battlefields features, confirming a modern setting, shows some concept art of a map of Gibraltar, and quotes Battlefield 3 and 4 as major points of inspiration for the team. Shortly after, Insider Gaming published another report which again claimed that Ripple Effect makes a standalone battle royale experience for the game. If this is true, the Ripple Effect's Battlefield The Battle Royale mode can not only follow in the footsteps of competitors.
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Battlefield's Battle Royale mode needs to break the mold
Battlefield hasn't had the best luck with battle royale modes
Released in March 2019, about four months after the main game's launch, Battlefield V received the franchise's first Battle Royale mode. Called “Firestorm”, Battlefield Vs BR mode saw 64 players drop in on the Norwegian map, Halvøy. Firestorm closely followed its competition's split formula, letting players pick up weapons from the ground and tasking them with surviving the eponymous enveloping ring of fire.
While Battlefield Vs Firestorm mode was released a year earlier Call of Duty: Warzonewas beaten to the town by Apex Legends and Call of Duty: Black Ops 4s Blackout mode. As such, Firestorm was seen as a competent but lackluster battle royale mode, offering a fun but overly familiar experience. It also didn't help that Firestorm, unlike most of its free-to-play competition, was locked behind Battlefield Vs paywall.
The Battle Royale Market is full
The battle royale market has only gotten more crowded since Firestorm's launch in 2019. Fortnite, Apex Legendsand Call of Duty: Warzone still dominate the BR market, and while countless challengers have tried to unseat them over the years, few have stood the test of time. If a battle royale game is to succeed in this crowded market, it must offer players something unique, a distinct hook that sets it apart from the juggernauts of the genre. Of course, this is much easier said than done.
Ripple Effect's Battlefield Battle Royale mode must create its own path
While Battlefield has brand recognition on its side, Ripple Effect's rumored Battle Royale mode won't be able to rely on that alone to succeed. Instead, it needs to deliver a BR experience that differs from its contemporaries, and hone in on Battlefields greatest strengths is a good place to start.
Battlefield has often been seen as a slightly more tactical game than titles like Call of Dutyand the next post's Battle Royale mode could stand out by focusing on it. While most battle royale games have a maximum squad size of four, Ripple Effect's mode can increase that size to six, encouraging more communication and teamwork. Allowing players to choose a class at the start of each match would further reinforce this tactical focus, encouraging players to synergize their abilities with their teammates.
Enter mankind's greatest conflict with Battlefield™ V as the series returns to its roots in a never-before-seen depiction of World War II. Take on physical, all-out multiplayer with your team in modes like the massive Grand Operations and cooperative Combined Arms, or witness human drama unfold against global combat in the single-player War Stories series. As you battle in epic, unexpected locations across the globe, enjoy the richest and most immersive battlefield yet. Now also includes Firestorm – Battle Royale, remastered for Battlefield.
Firestorm – Battle Royale, remastered for Battlefield. Dominate the largest Battlefield map ever with epic weapons and combat vehicles as a deadly ring of fire closes. Scrap, fight and survive to be the last team.
World War II like you've never seen it before – Take the fight to unexpected but defining moments of the war, as Battlefield goes back to where it all began.
64-player multiplayer in the chaos of all-out war – Lead your company in all-out multiplayer with new experiences like the massive Grand Operations mode. Take on classic modes like Conquest or battle with friends in the co-op Combined Arms.
The most immersive battlefield yet – Maneuver through the battlefield with a new set of soldiers, fortifications and mobile tools of destruction.
Play Untold War Stories – Witness human drama unfold against global battle in the single-player War Stories series. Ski down Norwegian mountains as you fight for control of nuclear supply lines, join the front lines with French colonial troops, or go behind enemy lines in North Africa with a band of misfits sent to wreak havoc.
Tides of War – Embark on a journey where new content continuously transports you and your company to a wide range of key WW2 locations, where new battlefields and equipment await.
- Released
- November 20, 2018
- Publisher
- Electronic Arts
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
- Engine
- Frostbite
- ESRB
- M for mature: blood, strong language, violence
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
