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Special Guest: Westie

  • Writer: Tom Belous (The Lanky Soldier)
    Tom Belous (The Lanky Soldier)
  • Jun 21
  • 3 min read

Tom and Westie emphasize that Battlefield's core identity is rooted in large-scale chaos, teamwork, and expansive maps. Recent titles have struggled with design choices, community tools, and storytelling, leading to disappointment. They advocate for a return to traditional classes, meaningful content, and innovative modes like Battle Royale or Incursions, which could revitalize the franchise. Competition from games like Delta Force and the importance of brand recognition are acknowledged as opportunities for Battlefield to adapt and thrive. Ultimately, both express hope that the next Battlefield will learn from past mistakes, deliver compelling gameplay, and restore its legendary status.

Featuring: Tom Belous (TheLankySoldier) & Westie

Episode 19: Special Guest: Westie

Released on July 31, 2024

Length: 1 Hour & 38min




TIME STAMPS:


04:26 - About Westie

09:01 - Lightning in a Bottle

17:23 - Why Battlefield?

25:12 - What Battlefield means to you?

37:06 - BF2042 Post-Mortem

44:35 - Delta Force Impressions

57:57 - Battle Royale Opinions

01:18:20 - New Battlefield Title



QUOTES:

"I actually believe that Battle Royale and Battlefield should go hand in hand."
"Battlefield has changed so much over the lifetime of its existence, that people largely don't really know what they're going to get from a Battlefield game these days."
"The reason why I started to do like the podcasting or start my YouTube channel and everything, it's mostly reasons like the social aspect of video games."
"Battlefield to me is a Sandbox."


HIGHLIGHTS:


  1. Discussion on Battlefield & FPS Games:

    • The hosts share their history with Battlefield, favorite titles (notably Battlefield Bad Company 2, and their journey through the franchise.

    • They emphasize the social and teamwork aspects of Battlefield, contrasting it with more twitch-based shooters like Call of Duty.

    • They critique recent Battlefield titles (2042, Battlefield V) for lacking identity, community focus, and proper execution of ideas like classes and lore.


  2. Battlefield's Evolution & Identity:

    • The franchise has changed significantly over the years, with debates on what Battlefield "is"—from large-scale chaos to more hero-based or class-based systems.

    • Tom and Westie discuss how recent games have moved away from traditional class systems, replacing them with heroes or specialists, which they feel doesn't fit the core Battlefield experience.


  3. Battlefield 1 & Its Impact:

    • Battlefield 1 is highlighted as a "lightning in a bottle" moment, with surprise success due to its World War I setting and innovative features.

    • The hosts recall their early reactions to Battlefield 1's reveal and gameplay, including jokes about horses and the game's mechanics.


  4. Battle Royale & Future Directions:

    • Both Tom and Westie believe Battlefield should incorporate Battle Royale, citing its success in other FPS games and its potential to add excitement and longevity.

    • They discuss Firestorm (Battlefield's previous Battle Royale attempt) and how timing and execution affected its success.

    • The idea of integrating squad-based, class-specific Battle Royale modes within Battlefield's sandbox is favoured.


  5. Competitors & Industry Trends:

    • The rise of games like Warzone, Apex Legends, and others has shifted player expectations.

    • Tom and Westie see Delta Force as a potential competitor, noting its similarities to Battlefield and its free-to-play model.

    • They emphasize the importance of brand recognition and how it influences player interest.


  6. Critique of Recent Development & Studio Changes:

    • The abrupt shutdown of the studio led by Marcus Lehto (Ridgeline Studios) and the cancellation of planned narrative projects are viewed as setbacks.

    • They express frustration over EA's management decisions, lack of follow-through on lore and single-player content, and the overall decline of the franchise.


  7. Gameplay & Mechanics Preferences:

    • They favor grounded, satisfying gunplay and realistic movement mechanics over overly arcade or gimmicky features.

    • The importance of maps, locations, vehicles, and equipment over just guns is stressed.

    • They mention Battlefield Incursions (a competitive mode) as a positive example of Battlefield's potential.


  8. Looking Ahead:

    • Optimism for the next Battlefield game’s aesthetics and concept, hoping it learns from past mistakes.

    • Concerns about EA's willingness to give developers creative freedom.

    • The desire for a well-executed single-player, lore-rich experience, and meaningful content updates.

DOWNLOAD: Episode 19 Transcript


Note: Transcripts are not fully accurate, as they were not fixed for accent & grammar mistakes

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