Interview with Enders

Battlefield One Podcast sits down with Enders to unpack his philosophy on FPS design, criticism, and what Battlefield needs now more than ever.

Episode 34 of the Battlefield One Podcast brings a powerhouse guest to the table - Enders, a vocal and highly skilled Battlefield content creator known for his brutal honesty and gameplay-focused commentary. With thousands of hours in Battlefield titles and a no-filter approach to critique, Enders has become one of the most recognizable, and controversial, voices in the community.

In this episode, Tom (TheLankySoldier) sits down with Enders for an intense and unfiltered discussion on the state of Battlefield, player expectations, design decisions, and the future of the franchise. And this article is a small glimpse of the full interview that happened on the show.

Battlefield has seen significant highs and brutal lows over the years. From the massive critical success of Battlefield 3 and 4 to the controversial rollout of Battlefield 2042, the franchise is at a crossroads. The upcoming title, currently under development by several studios under the EA umbrella, is seen by many, including Enders, as a make-or-break moment.

For content creators who live and breathe the franchise (including us. We are hosting a Battlefield related podcast? We are screwed), the decline isn’t just disappointing, it’s lowkey personal. In this episode, Enders helps contextualize the frustrations many long time players feel and why returning to Battlefield’s roots might be its only way forward.

As Tom navigates the interview, he wants Enders to talk about his personal unique mix of competitive skill and community influence. What emerges is not just criticism, but a detailed autopsy of the franchise’s problems. Enders doesn’t just say what’s wrong, he explains why it matters.

From class identity to movement fidelity, from live service mismanagement to the pitfalls of “content-first” development, Enders lays out a complete framework for understanding the current Battlefield crisis and what a potential solution could look like.

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Tom: How did you first get into Battlefield and content creation?

Enders: It really started out of pure interest. I’ve been playing games for years, but Battlefield caught my attention because of the scale and how different it was compared to everything else. I naturally gravitated toward high-skill play. Understanding movement, positioning, recoil patterns. So I thought, why not share what I know? I wanted to create content that actually taught people how to improve, not just entertain. That evolved into the style I have now, deep analysis, gameplay, commentary, and of course, calling things out when they need to be.

Tom: What’s your favorite Battlefield title and why?

Enders: Battlefield 1, without a doubt. Not because it was perfectly balanced, it had plenty of issues, but because it took a risk. The setting, the aesthetic, the atmosphere, it felt like they were making a real artistic choice. It was immersive, brutal, and beautiful all at once. The audio design was second to none. It felt like a war game. I loved the class system and how different weapons actually felt distinct. Sure, some maps were terrible, and the vehicle balance was questionable, but it had soul. That’s something the newer titles just don’t have.

Tom: What went wrong with Battlefield 2042 from your point of view?

Enders: 2042 failed because the people designing it forgot what Battlefield actually is. They stripped out the class system, they made movement floaty, they gutted teamplay, and then tried to cover it all up with Specialists and cosmetic garbage. But beyond design, the execution was horrendous. Netcode, hit registration, UI, even the scoreboard was broken at launch. And the worst part? The fundamentals still aren’t fixed. It’s a symptom of a deeper issue, they’re designing games for engagement metrics, not gameplay.

Tom: What are your thoughts on the Specialist system replacing classes?

Enders: It’s a massive step backward. The old class system gave the game structure, roles that mattered. You needed medics, support, engineers. It created synergy. Now with Specialists, it’s a free-for-all. People play selfishly. Everyone just picks Sundance and flies around. There’s no cohesion.

Tom: How would you rate the gunplay and movement mechanics in 2042?

Enders: Bad. And not just “needs improvement” bad, foundationally flawed. The input latency is high, the movement feels sluggish and floaty, and the weapons are inconsistent. Recoil is manageable, but hit registration is unreliable. You can’t trust that your shots will land even when your aim is perfect. That's a huge problem in a competitive FPS. Movement doesn’t feel responsive; animations lag behind inputs. Compared to something like Battlefield 4 or even Apex, it’s night and day.

Tom: So what keeps you playing if the gameplay loop isn’t rewarding?

Enders: Mostly my community. They still care. They want to see me play, critique, and keep the conversation going. And I care too, I want Battlefield to succeed. I’ve spent years in this franchise. But from a pure enjoyment standpoint? No, I wouldn’t play this if I wasn’t a creator. It’s not fun to grind the same broken systems, knowing your feedback probably won’t matter.

Tom: How does your audience feel about the current state of the game?

Enders: They’re pissed, man. And rightfully so. These aren’t people who want Battlefield to die, they love it. But they feel betrayed. Every update feels like two steps forward, one step back. People are constantly asking when things will be fixed, or if the next title will be any better. They’re tired of gimmicks and want the game to return to solid, balanced gameplay with a focus on teamplay and performance.

Tom: A lot of leaks mention sliding, perks, and more casual features in the next game. Your take?

Enders: Sliding can work if it’s not overdone. I don’t mind advanced movement, it can add skill expression. But perks? That’s risky. You don’t want to turn Battlefield into COD where everyone has 30 passive buffs. Keep it simple. As for cosmetic features like weapon inspection, they’re cool, but they’re meaningless if the core gameplay sucks. No one’s going to stay for flashy reload animations if the game itself isn’t fun to play.

Tom: Do you think Battlefield needs a live service model?

Enders: Yes, but only if it’s done right. That means real, consistent content. Not just skins. I’m talking maps, guns, balance updates. Live service can work if the devs commit to it. But if it’s just battle passes and half-baked seasonal events, it becomes another cash grab. Players notice that. You have to support the game like a platform, not a marketing vehicle.

Tom: Are you optimistic about the next Battlefield?

Enders: I’m cautiously optimistic. The fact that Vince Zampella and Byron Beede are involved is good. They’ve had success with Apex and COD. They know what makes shooters tick. But the real question is: will EA let them make the game they want? Corporate interference has killed more good games than bad developers ever have.

Tom: What’s the biggest mistake EA has made with Battlefield?

Enders: Abandoning Battlefield V too early was a huge mistake. It had a rough launch, but it was fixable. Instead, they dropped it and doubled down on the disaster that was 2042. They’ve also consistently ignored player feedback. They pretend they’re listening, but most of the time it’s surface-level PR. Real feedback, the kind that stings - is never acted on.

Tom: Is the Battlefield community toxic, in your view?

Enders: Parts of it, sure. But that’s true of any big community. What people call “toxicity” is often just frustration boiling over. If you constantly ignore your most passionate players, of course they’re going to get angry. The silence from developers and the lack of clear communication only makes it worse. People just want to feel heard.

Tom: What's your opinion about Battlefield Labs so far? Would you still accept an invite from EA for a private playtest?

Enders: It’s mostly for marketing. Let’s be real. They want the optics of “consulting” creators, but most of the feedback never goes anywhere. If you speak up too much, you won’t get invited again. That’s why I don’t care anymore, I just say what I think publicly. If that costs me invites, so be it.

Tom: Should Battlefield try to compete with Call of Duty directly?

Enders: No. That’s the root of the problem. Battlefield was always at its best when it leaned into what made it unique, massive battles, destruction, vehicles, chaos. COD does the twitch shooter thing well. Battlefield should focus on being the ultimate sandbox shooter. Don’t copy. Be different.

Tom: If you were leading the next Battlefield project, what’s the first thing you’d do?

Enders: Rebuild the foundation. Nail the shooting mechanics, make sure movement feels right, optimize the game for performance. Forget cosmetics, forget progression systems. Make a damn good core game first. That’s the only way to earn back trust.

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Enders’ brutally honest outlook resonates with many players who have felt alienated by recent Battlefield entries. His detailed explanations show that criticism isn’t rooted in hate, but it’s driven by passion and a desire to see the franchise thrive. He’s not calling for nostalgia or a carbon copy of past games, he’s calling for a return to quality, purpose, and respect for the player experience.

This interview isn't just a discussion, it's a challenge to the developers and the industry at large. Battlefield has one more shot to prove itself, and creators like Enders are going to hold it accountable every step of the way.

And for the Battlefield fans, this episode of the Battlefield One Podcast is more than content, it’s education and importance of being informed. It’s a roadmap to what went wrong, and what can still be saved.

This article is brought to you by the Battlefield One Podcast, where we break down announcements like this, analyze gameplay footage, and track the development of Battlefield week to week. Whether you're new to the franchise or a returning veteran, follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you listen, and get the full picture behind the frontlines.

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