Is Battlefield 2042 Gearing Up for a Free-to-Play Future?

If Battlefield 2042's offering was a strategic move to counter the hype surrounding its rival, then it's safe to say that it's successful. Season 6: Dark Creations further bolstered its resurgence, introducing new weapons, gadgets, maps, and a focus on close-quarters combat that seems to resonate well with players.

While Battlefield 2042's rebound is a combination of gameplay improvements and tactical offerings, it's evident that the franchise's fans are willing to give it a second chance as long as the developers show commitment to refining as well as improving the experience. Offering the game for free temporarily certainly enticed many to jump in, but the challenge lies in retaining these players beyond such offers.

Now, does this mean that Battlefield 2042 is moving towards a free-to-play model? It's worth noting that it was part of the PS Plus lineup a while back, which also resulted in marked jump in player count. Considering that Battlefield 2042 is already on the Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus, a business model shift is the only route left.

Fortnite, Apex Legends, and Call of Duty: Warzone, have all proven that this model, combined with in-game purchases and regular content updates, can be immensely profitable.

Whether Battlefield 2042 should adopt this model permanently remains a matter of debate. However, its recent success indicates that with the right strategies, even games that initially stumble can find their footing and thrive in the highly competitive gaming landscape.

Battlefield 2042's journey from a rocky launch to a record-breaking weekend offers hope and lessons for its developers.

Fingers crossed, EA and DICE won't let up just because of this temporary reprieve.

Speaking of Battlefield, EA and DICE are already working on the next entry in the series, which will be a "reimagining" of the franchise. Just like before, Criterion Games will give it a helping hand.