Why Ripple Effect’s Battlefield BR Mode Shouldn’t Just Be a Battle Royale

Why Ripple Effect's Battlefield BR Mode Shouldn't Just Be a Battle Royale

As a seasoned Battlefield fan who’s been through the trenches of Halvøy and the deserts of Operation Metro, I can’t help but feel a mix of excitement and trepidation about the rumored standalone Battle Royale mode for the next Battlefield entry.


Over the past year or so, there has been a continuous flow of leaks and speculations about the upcoming Battlefield game, although it hasn’t been officially confirmed yet. A significant portion of these leaks can be attributed to Tom Henderson from Insider Gaming. In February of this year, one of his reports suggested that the next Battlefield would feature a separate, Ripple Effect-created Battle Royale mode as part of its package. This approach seems to mimic the strategy adopted by Call of Duty with its standalone Battle Royale mode, Warzone.

A little over a month ago, I was thrilled to hear directly from Vince Zampella about some upcoming features for the next Battlefield game, including a modern-day setting, glimpses of concept art featuring a Gibraltar map, and acknowledging Battlefield 3 and 4 as significant sources of inspiration for the team. Not long after, Insider Gaming shared another report hinting that Ripple Effect is working on a standalone Battle Royale mode within the game. If this rumor holds true, I’m eager to see how Ripple Effect’s Battlefield Battle Royale mode distinguishes itself from its competitors and paves its unique path in the genre.

Battlefield’s Battle Royale Mode Needs to Break the Mold

Battlefield Hasn’t Had The Best Luck With Battle Royale Modes

In March 2019, approximately four months following the initial launch, Battlefield V introduced the series’ first Battle Royale mode called ‘Firestorm.’ This new mode for Battlefield V dropped 64 players onto a Norwegian map named Halvøy. The Firestorm mode mirrored its competitors’ formula, allowing players to gather weapons scattered across the ground and challenging them to outlive the encroaching ring of fire known as the fiery enclosure.

In contrast to Firestorm being launched a year before Call of Duty: Warzone, it was outperformed by both Apex Legends and the Blackout mode in Call of Duty: Black Ops 4. Consequently, Firestorm was perceived as a competent but unremarkable Battle Royale game, delivering an enjoyable yet overly familiar experience. Furthermore, its lack of success was compounded by the fact that it was only accessible to those who had purchased Battlefield V, unlike most of its free-to-play competitors.

The Battle Royale Market Is Full

2019 saw Firestorm’s entrance into the already bustling Battle Royale (BR) arena, and since then, giants like Fortnite, Apex Legends, and Call of Duty: Warzone have continued to reign supreme. Despite numerous challengers trying to unseat these titans over time, only a handful have managed to survive the test of player preference.

Ripple Effect’s Battlefield Battle Royale Mode Needs to Forge Its Own Path

As a diehard fan, I can’t help but be excited about the rumored Battle Royale mode from Ripple Effect. However, I know that relying solely on Battlefield’s brand recognition won’t be enough for it to thrive. Instead, they need to craft an Battle Royale experience that sets it apart from its competitors. Tapping into Battlefield’s strongest qualities is a fantastic starting point for achieving this distinctiveness.

In comparison to games like Call of Duty, Battlefield is generally perceived as having a slightly more strategic or tactical bent, and the upcoming installment could distinguish its Battle Royale mode by emphasizing that aspect. Unlike most Battle Royale games which cap squad sizes at four, Ripple Effect’s mode might expand that limit to six, fostering greater communication and teamwork. Allowing players to choose a class at the start of each match would further underscore this strategic emphasis, prompting players to coordinate their abilities with their teammates.

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2024-10-27 02:03