Battlefield fans are in for a treat after EA confirmed a new project is on the way and will be set in modern times. Despite the timeline set, the game developers will stay true to the franchise’s core, and it is said that the developers will be going back to basics for a nostalgic and familiar gaming experience for the loyal player base. EA saw the value of this iconic gaming franchise and wanted to give it the treatment it deserved without deviating too far from what made it great in the first place.
Nostalgia can be a powerful driving force and the developers wanted to revitalize this franchise in earnest. Some gaming franchises tend to stray away and become too ambitious that it would taint the game; however, Electronic Arts will stay grounded for this project, similarly to how one of its major competitors is treating its rival franchise.
Electronic Arts Will Revitalize the Battlefield Franchise Through Nostalgia
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A still from Battlefield 1
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A still from Battlefield 1
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Going back to basics and showcasing a modern setting seems to be the de facto option for game developers to revitalize an older franchise. Activision entrusted this year’s Call of Duty installment to the combined skill and talent of Treyarch and Raven Software and the results seem overwhelmingly positive. Black Ops 6 is set in 1991 during the Gulf War and the developers are taking advantage of the time setting with advanced gameplay improvements while focusing on what made the franchise popular.
On the other hand, Electronic Arts gave fans of the Battlefield franchise a glimmer of hope for what they can expect for this upcoming installment. Previous entries featured the conflicts during the first two World Wars and a futuristic attempt with 2042 which only featured an online multiplayer mode and completely left out a single-player campaign. Vince Zampella is the head of Respawn Entertainment and gave vague descriptions for this upcoming project.
I mean, if you look back to the peak or the pinnacle of Battlefield, it’s that Battlefield 3… Battlefield 4 era where everything was modern. And I think we have to get back to the core of what Battlefield is and do that amazingly well, and then we’ll see where it goes from there. But I think for me, it’s that peak of Battlefield-ness is in that Battlefield 3 and 4 days. So I think it’s nostalgic for players, for me, for the teams even. Those are kind of the heyday…although I would say 1942 also.
Zampella acknowledges the exact moment the franchise has peaked and reveals the studio wanted to bring that back for this installment. The setting plays a huge factor in how the gaming community would respond to a game and Zampella saw the surge of interest after the third and fourth games and wants to bring that back in today’s time with modern improvements while staying true to the core.
This approach is oddly familiar with Activision’s approach for Black Ops 6. The gaming community loved the Black Ops and Modern Warfare series because they featured grounded and familiar settings that most players would be interested in seeing today rather than being a period piece or an ambitious and futuristic entry. Hopefully, Electronic Arts and Activision will succeed in utilizing nostalgia as a driving force.
The Gaming Community Has High Hopes for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
The gaming community is optimistic Black Ops 6 will put the franchise back on track after a flurry of misses in the past few years. Some players noticed how the single-player campaigns have taken a massive hit in quality and these were a far cry from what earlier titles achieved decades ago.
The marketing of Black Ops 6 has been in full swing for months before the official release date, and the developers have been enjoying using imagery and iconic locations to promote this game. Despite not being in the final game, Mount Rushmore was heavily used in some marketing material highlighting the tension of the coming conflict.
Electronic Arts could apply the same strategy and expect similar results. Fans will appreciate game developers listening to their pleas and suggestions.
Activision has a lot riding on Black Ops 6 and if it is a success, it will not be long before other developers will adapt. Hopefully, this is the change the franchise desperately needs.
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