So about that "leaked" Battle Royale
- Tom Belous (The Lanky Soldier)
- Jun 20
- 3 min read
Updated: Jun 21
The hosts express concern over the future of Battlefield, emphasizing the importance of staying true to its core identity—teamwork, destruction, and community. They critique industry practices like studio closures, leaks, and the shift toward monetization at the expense of gameplay quality. Despite skepticism about the upcoming game, there's hope that talented individuals like Vince Zampella, who can steer the franchise back on course.
Featuring: Tom Belous (TheLankySoldier) & Ray Edmunds
Episode 14: So about that "leaked" Battle Royale
Released on March 13, 2024
Length: 1 Hour & 25min
TIME STAMPS:
02:36 - Patreon & Google Document
08:04 - Aftermath of Ridgeline Studios Closure
28:22 - Leaks? How convenient
33:32 - Statement from EA
43:40 - 64 players & Old Gen Consoles
54:18 - Reboot or Continue? Battle Royale Discussion
1:07:35 - What's better than Battle Royale?
QUOTES:
"The leaks were not accidental, they were intentional in some shape or form"
"I think they need to quit chasing fads. I said this for years: quit chasing fads."
"Battlefield is about squad play and team play. Throwing Battle Royale in there where it's one for all or even a squad against other squads — that's not what Battlefield is about."
"If you're going with the next-gen hardware, then fully commit to it and tell your player base: sorry kids, you gotta upgrade if you want to play."
"Battlefield never really had a proper competitive mode, and there's no game out there that can offer Battlefield-like destruction and vehicles in a competitive scene."
HIGHLIGHTS:
Industry Critique & AI Concerns:
Tom passionately criticizes AI's impact on art and entertainment, calling it "laziness" and lamenting the loss of human creativity.
He warns about industry trends like layoffs, corporate cost-cutting, and the potential for studios to be shut down as tax write-offs.
He criticizes the gaming industry's focus on shareholder profits over consumer experience, citing examples like Warner Bros. and EA's management decisions.
EA & Battlefield Studio News:
EA's layoffs affected around 600 employees (~5% of workforce), saving millions but raising questions about industry practices.
EA shut down Ridgeline Studios, responsible for the single-player component of the next Battlefield, and restructured teams like Ripple Effect.
EA's official statements about Battlefield's progress are seen as marketing spin, with skepticism about the actual state of development.
Leaks & Industry Manipulation:
The timing of leaks about the next Battlefield (e.g. Marcus Lehto leaving EA, upcoming game details) is suspected to be intentional, possibly as a distraction from negative press.
Tom discusses how leaks and media releases are often used as strategic distractions or marketing tools.
Next Battlefield Game & Features:
Scheduled for 2025, likely releasing in October, with 64-player matches (dropping the 128-player experiment).
The game may feature returning modes like Conquest and Rush, with a focus on core Battlefield gameplay rather than Battle Royale.
Speculation about whether the game will be a reboot or continuation of the series; leaning toward a continuation with possible prequel elements.
Concerns about AI, character recasting, and narrative direction, especially regarding Irish and other characters.
Battle Royale & Competitive Modes:
Tom suggests developing a unique competitive mode (like Battlefield Incursions) that emphasizes destruction, vehicles, and squad tactics.
The potential for a dedicated, standalone Battle Royale mode is discussed, but with reservations about it diluting Battlefield's identity.
Community & Multiplayer Features:
The importance of supporting community-organized matches, platoons, and clans is highlighted.
Criticism of EA's past neglect of community features and tools that could support competitive play.
Emphasis on focusing on modes like Conquest and Rush, which define Battlefield's identity.
Industry Trends & Market Dynamics:
The industry prioritizes short-term profits, often at the expense of quality and innovation.
Release timing around fiscal quarters influences game launches.
The high cost of hardware and games impacts consumer spending, with suggestions for better bundling and timing.
Speculation & Predictions:
The next Battlefield may be a continuation or prequel, possibly involving younger versions of characters.
Potential internal conflicts between developers like Marcus Lehto and Vince Zampella over the game's direction.
Concerns about AI use in narrative and character recasting, especially with the passing of actors like Irish's voice actor.
DOWNLOAD: Episode 14 Transcript
Download from Google Drive
Note: Transcripts are not fully accurate, as they were not fixed for accent & grammar mistakes
