Electronic Arts (EA) has shared new details about the upcoming Battlefield game, confirming it will return to a modern-day setting and distance itself from controversial features in Battlefield 2042. In an exclusive interview with IGN, Vince Zampella, the head of the Battlefield franchise, discussed the future direction of the series and outlined what fans can expect.
The new Battlefield installment will take place in modern times, a stark contrast to recent entries that explored World War I, World War II, and futuristic settings. Concept art revealed for the game depicts a chaotic scene set in a European city, featuring land, sea, and a fire raging through a nearby forest—capturing the essence of Battlefield’s large-scale, immersive warfare.
Moving Away from Battlefield 2042’s Disputed Features
Battlefield 2042 introduced several major changes to the series, but many were met with mixed reviews. One of the most significant was the inclusion of maps supporting up to 128 players, a first for the franchise. While the idea of larger-scale battles seemed appealing on paper, the reality left many fans dissatisfied. Players often complained about the maps feeling empty, leading developers to revert back to 64-player matches. The next Battlefield game will opt for a player count more in line with earlier titles.
“Yeah, the 128-player, did it make it more fun? Like… doing the number for the sake of the number doesn’t make any sense,” Zampella said. “We’re testing everything to see what’s most fun. We’re designing something more akin to previous Battlefields. I’d rather have well-designed, dense play spaces that are more engaging. I can’t wait for you to see some of them.”
Another point of contention in Battlefield 2042 was the introduction of “Specialist” characters, which replaced the traditional class system. Specialists, each with unique abilities, were meant to shake up the established formula but ended up alienating many long-time fans. DICE eventually removed the Specialist system in a post-release update. Zampella acknowledged the effort to innovate but confirmed that the class system, a hallmark of Battlefield, will return in the upcoming game.
“I wasn’t there for 2042. I don’t know what the rationale was, but the team tried something new,” he said. “You have to applaud that effort. Not everybody liked it, but you have to try things. It didn’t work. It didn’t fit. Specialists will not be coming back. Classes are core to Battlefield, and we’re going back to that.”
Battlefield vs. Call of Duty: Different Paths for Success
Though comparisons between Battlefield and Call of Duty are inevitable, Zampella emphasized that EA’s goal isn’t to compete directly with the Activision series. Instead, Battlefield aims to carve out its own space, focusing on delivering a unique experience for its community.
“We’re not looking to take down Call of Duty. We’re making something different, something that’s true to us,” he said. However, Zampella also noted that the new Battlefield game “has the possibility” to outsell Call of Duty—hinting at the ambition behind the project.
Community Testing and Release Speculation
While the new Battlefield game is still in early development, there is speculation that it could release as soon as October 2025. Zampella also hinted at a community testing program that will launch in 2025. This initiative is designed to get fan feedback early, allowing the developers to refine the game ahead of its official release.
“That’s kind of the core of what we have to do—get the community back on our side, get that trust back,” Zampella explained. Whether this program will take the form of an open beta, closed beta, or a different type of test is yet to be confirmed.
EA’s commitment to rebuilding trust with its player base, coupled with the return to a more familiar Battlefield experience, indicates the next entry in the franchise is shaping up to be one that both new and returning fans can look forward to.
