Game-Changing Map Reworks and Exciting DLC: Unveiling the Epic Lessons for the Next Battlefield

Highlights

Battlefield 2042's initial maps were too large, leading to complaints from players who felt the lack of fast-paced action.

DICE improved the gameplay experience by reworking the maps, adjusting positions, and incorporating additional cover spots. The subsequent release of free DLC maps served as a blueprint for the next Battlefield game, with a specific emphasis on achieving a better balance between scale and action in order to avoid repeating past mistakes.

Leading up to the release of Battlefield 2042, much of the pre-release media focused on the impressive size and scale of its maps. With DICE's reputation for providing players with vast virtual battlefields, it seemed like a natural progression for the series. However, as players began to explore Battlefield 2042's enormous maps, it became clear that bigger doesn't always mean better, even in a series known for its sprawling stages.

Players had various complaints about Battlefield 2042's initial maps, from capture points being too far apart to layouts that made traversal without a vehicle tedious. Despite DICE's efforts to address these concerns by reworking the launch maps and adding smaller levels in DLC releases, the negative feedback surrounding the excessively large maps added to the difficulties of the game's troubled launch. As the next Battlefield game is currently in development, it is crucial for DICE to use the lessons learned from these early map-based missteps as a guide in finding the right balance between form and function.

Battlefield 2042’s Launch Maps Proved Bigger Isn’t Necessarily Better

Following the launch of Battlefield 2042, players quickly expressed their dissatisfaction with the initial maps included in the game. Although technically impressive, many of these maps were overly large and did not lend themselves to the fast-paced action that the series is known for. Unlike previous Battlefield maps that strategically directed players towards areas ideal for intense combat, Battlefield 2042's maps were too spread out, resulting in players going minutes without encountering any enemies.

In response to the backlash, DICE took action and went back to the drawing board in 2022. The original maps in Battlefield 2042 were reworked to better suit the series' signature blend of on-foot and vehicle combat. By adjusting flag and base positions, introducing new cover spots, and reducing player counts in the Breakthrough mode, DICE successfully created an experience more aligned with previous franchise entries. This focused approach to map design continued with the game's DLC and can serve as a blueprint for future Battlefield titles.

Battlefield 2042’s DLC Provides a Roadmap for the Franchise’s Next Entry

The renewed emphasis on fun rather than sheer size is evident in the extensive range of free DLC maps released for Battlefield 2042 since its launch two years ago. These DLC maps, influenced by feedback from Battlefield 2042 players, have been specifically designed to enhance the pace of gameplay by featuring smaller settings and layouts. Spearhead and the revamped Hourglass maps in Battlefield 2042 have successfully achieved a well-balanced approach of providing players with ample space to explore while subtly guiding the flow of gameplay. Such design principles should be implemented in the next installment of the Battlefield series, where maps should offer the iconic sense of scale while ensuring smooth and continuous action. By combining impressive large-scale environments with layouts that prioritize focused action and ensure constant engagement, the upcoming Battlefield game can learn from the mistakes made by its predecessor.

Developers at DICE are currently working on the upcoming installment in the Battlefield series.