So it turns out that development on new content for Battlefield 5 has hit a bit of a snafu. The developer, DICE, has steadily been pumping out plenty of new content for the shooter. There was a series of new maps implemented quite recently. This came at the end of the multiple “chapters” of DLC released for the game, capping off with the launch of the 64-player Firestorm mode.
But players always want more content to chew through. So EA and DICE had a plan. They wanted to step away from the brutally fast and violent 64-player spectacle and into a much more tactical and slow-paced 5v5 multiplayer mode in another update. Sadly, that plan has now been canned.
As Ryan McArthur, Senior Producer of Battlefield 5, wrote:
“The added focus on improving the quality of the experience and adding more of the content you want has led us to step back from our original plans to offer a competitive 5v5 mode. Not creating this mode was a tough decision, but vital for us to more quickly reach our bug-crushing and content goals. However, we will still pursue building a competitive gaming experience in Battlefield. We know that there’s already an existing competitive scene in our community, and we’re helping build features to support these communities. We want to work more closely with our players to help improve the tools that they have available to shape their play experience. This way, we can better support the places where competitive Battlefield V play already exists.”
So while it sucks that a potentially fun gamemode got axed, it’s understandable that DICE felt the whole thing was unnecessary. After all, you have to do what your customers dictate to some degree when in the entertainment industry. Although it’s definitely possible to innovate and experiment, trying to chase trends by pivoting your game franchise into new territory isn’t best done in half-measures like this.
This isn’t the end of Battlefield V though, as the team has some more content planned in the next title update. Version 4.4 will introduce the new Provence and Lofoten Islands maps for players in the various matchmaking pools. The patch will also deliver two new infantry maps and an increase in ranked play Ranks, all the way up to 500. Finally, the 4.4 update will introduce some bug fixes and balance changes across the board.
So what do you think? Is cancelling the 5v5 game mode a good call? Let us know in the comments.
