TheBattlefieldfranchise has honed its craft over the years to become one of the most iconic IPs within the highly saturated and competitive industry of first-person shooter video games, and it is clear to see why. Finding its roots all the way back in 2002, the franchise has earned its spot as one of the most prestigious and historic FPS IPs, still commanding a large fan base to this day. Unfortunately, though, recent entries have hurt the series' reputation more than they have helped.
Of course, the main rival thatBattlefieldhas had to long compete against isCall of Duty, with many being of the opinion thatCall of Dutyis the most dominant series in the shooter genre and one of the most influential IPs in the entire gaming industry. The continued relevance ofBattlefielddespite this is a testament to the sustained innovation and perseverance of the franchise, but there is no denying that the series has waned in popularity and standing in more recent years. This downturn forBattlefieldof course works to the advantage ofCall of Duty, which has recently implemented mechanics that nullify a lot ofBattlefield’s appeal.
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The Recent Issues With the Battlefield Franchise
The aforementioned innovation ofBattlefieldhas seen the franchise explore a huge breath of settings and wars over the years, spanning from historically grounded period pieces to more futuristic fictional conflicts.Battlefield 2042is the most recent release for the IP, releasing in 2021 to huge amounts of anticipation and boldly blending the mechanics associated with the contemporary settings ofBattlefieldwith near-future elements driven by a more sci-fi feel.
This excitement regardingBattlefield 2042was short-lived, however, with the launch of the game being rather disastrous for DICE and EA. Many fans were of the opinion that2042launched in a barebones state, missing core mechanics that were standard for previous installments and garnering controversies through decisions like the removal of the franchise’s traditional class system.The player count forBattlefield 2042dropped significantlyjust months after its October release, with the game struggling to steady itself following the hit it took when it released. Though it has improved, the impact of its early problems is still being felt.
The Advantage That Battlefield Has Lost Over Call of Duty
This aforementionedblow to the reputational standing ofBattlefieldhas only been compounded with recent developments to theCall of Dutyfranchise, whose usual annual releases foster a perfect environment for an even greater amount of innovation. WhileBattlefieldhas of course struggled to keep up with the break-neck speeds ofCoDin the past, it has always had the security of its unique core gameplay and expansiveness, but this is no longer unique to theBattlefieldfranchise.
For some time,Call of Dutyhas been dipping its toes into more expansive and open multiplayer experiences, which is noteworthy since the franchise has historically been known for smaller scale three-lane arena-style maps within its online modes. For some time,Call of Dutyhas begun offering Ground War multiplayer modes, which see up to 64 players engage in large-scale warfare with a variety of vehicles in gameplay that would have previously been synonymous withBattlefieldinstead.
Ground War has gone on to become a staple of theCoDmultiplayer experience, with this kind of mode only being aided by the recentexplosion in popularity of theWarzonefranchise. WithWarzonebeingCall of Duty’stake on the battle royale genre, the huge maps and assets that the game fosters are often carried over toCoD’score multiplayer for the production of much larger maps. While it remains thatBattlefieldmay offer slightly more expansive experiences, it is clear that recent innovations toCoDhave taken a lot of appeal away from the IP.
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