New Battlefield is like Call of Duty?
- Tom Belous (The Lanky Soldier)
- Jun 23
- 3 min read
Tom discusses a "controversial" social media thread from a supposed ex-Dice developer, analyzing its credibility, implications, and how it reflects the state of the franchise. He emphasizes the importance of understanding industry realities, community perspectives, and the need for innovation in Battlefield's future.
Featuring: Tom Belous (TheLankySoldier)
Episode 27: New Battlefield is like Call of Duty?
Released on January 24, 2025
Length: 1 Hour & 42min
TIME STAMPS:
03:18 - Misinformation?
13:30 - Ex-DICE Thread
31:50 - Community reaction
43:55 - Live Service
46:22 - Paid Skins & Aesthetics
53:24 - Battlefield Warzone
01:00:59 - Corporate EA
01:05:24 - BFV & Sonderland
01:13:01 - Like Call of Duty?
01:39:50 - Conclusion
QUOTES:
"The truth is somewhere in the middle."
"Skins are not the problem, the problem is how they’re going to do the aesthetic of the game."
"You will not get premium passes back because no one was buying them back in the day."
"The next Battlefield game will take a lot inspiration from Call of Duty, because Vince Zampella and Byron Beede are the main people handling the franchise."
HIGHLIGHTS:
Leak/Thread from a Former DICE Developer:
A detailed social media thread from a presumed ex-Dice developer surfaced, revealing behind-the-scenes industry info.
The thread discusses DICE history, internal conflicts, leadership changes, and the development of past Battlefield titles.
The credibility of the thread is supported by some industry insiders and the lead producer of Battlefield 4, David Sirland, who acknowledged some accuracy.
Historical Context & Industry Dynamics:
DICE acquisition by EA, leadership shifts, and the impact on game development.
Past Battlefield titles (BF3, BF4, BF1, BFV, BF2042) faced various challenges, including development issues, community backlash, and commercial failures.
The influence of EA’s corporate priorities, shareholder value, and the shift toward live service models.
Battlefield’s Evolution & Future Direction:
The industry trend toward live service games, monetization via skins, battle passes, and seasonal content.
The next Battlefield game is expected to be a live service title, possibly with seasonal updates, battle passes, and cosmetic monetization.
Concerns about the franchise becoming too similar to Call of Duty, especially with leadership from ex-CoD developers like Zampella and Beede.
Community Reaction & Demographics:
The hardcore Battlefield community (mostly 25+ years old) reacts negatively to this thread, fearing franchise dilution and loss of identity.
The community prefers remasters or smaller, premium-priced titles over annual live service releases.
Tom argues that the community’s attachment to older titles (BF3, BF4) is nostalgic, but the franchise needs to evolve to attract younger players.
Skins & Aesthetic Concerns:
Community fears about goofy or fantastical skins ruining the military aesthetic.
Tom advocates for maintaining a realistic, immersive aesthetic, citing Modern Warfare 2019 as an example of good skin design.
Emphasizes storytelling and context to justify cosmetic choices.
Battle Royale & Genre Flexibility:
The franchise’s potential to incorporate Battle Royale and other modes as long as they align with Battlefield’s core identity.
Tom supports the idea that Battlefield can be a sandbox with various gameplay styles, including Battle Royale.
Industry & Development Insights:
The closure of studios like Ridgeline Games, which was working on single-player projects, and the impact on franchise development.
The importance of fresh perspectives and leadership (e.g., Marcus Lehto who left EA) for revitalizing the franchise.
Personal Opinions & Outlook:
Tom believes the next Battlefield could be good if it respects the franchise’s spirit.
Concerns about gameplay quality, map design, and the risk of repeating past mistakes.
Optimism that a “reset” and new vision are necessary for long-term success, despite potential growing pains.
DOWNLOAD: Episode 27 Transcript
Download from Google Drive
Note: Transcripts are not fully accurate, as they were not fixed for accent & grammar mistakes
