One of the biggest complaints aboutBattlefield 2042back at release was its map designs, which often felt too large or empty, and led to frustratingly slow gameplay. Kaleidoscope, in particular, was easily the most problematic map of the game so far with little-to-no space for covers and even its rework wasn’t helpful. The same goes for Hourglass with its barren desert. Players would have to spend excessive time traveling between objectives and it made the game feel more like a walking simulator.
The franchise has most recently given fans a hint at upcomingBattlefield 6’s Gibraltar map through a concept art image and apparently, there’s going to be lots of chaos, smoke, and war, with probably little-to-no empty space except maybe in the green belts and jungle areas. TheBattlefield 6concept art, therefore, basically addresses one of the major complaints from2042— the excessive emptiness of the maps.
Circling Back To Battlefield 2042’s Biggest Complaints
The large,open map designinBattlefield 2042was a major issue, and it affected most of the maps it launched with. For example, the map Hourglass is about 4.3 square kilometers. This massive size resulted in players spending up to 25-30% of a match running from objective to objective without encountering enemies. In some parts of maps like Breakaway, only 1-2 small objects provided cover in areas spanning several hundred meters. As a result, snipers and vehicle operators dominated, leaving those with aggressive gameplay vulnerable.
WhileBattlefield 2042advertised its 128-player matches as a selling point, it soon became clear as day that the increase in player count was diluting the gameplay. With large maps and uneven player distribution, matches often lacked focus and made coordinated team play difficult. In contrast, previous games with 64-player matches had struck a far better balance between map size and player density. On top of it all, only 30-40 players would be in key combat zones at any time on average, and that led to long, uneventful stretches of gameplay.
How Battlefield 6’s Gibraltar Seems to Solve This Problem
InBattlefield 6concept art, the Gibraltar map seemingly addresses these criticisms by focusing on more contained environments that encourage close-quarters skirmishes and constant strategic movement. The concept art suggests fewer open, barren spaces and more designed choke points, urban areas, and destructible environments, which could significantly enhance both the intensity and the tactical depth of the gameplay. This shift is crucial to fixing all the problems2042became notorious for.
Vince Zampella Has Confirmed a Return To ‘Back To Basics’ Approach for Battlefield 6
Vince Zampella, the Head of Respawn & Group GM for EA Studios Organization, has confirmed that the franchise is opting for a “back to basics” approach. The return of the four-class system and a focus on destruction mechanics (like caliber-based physics that influences environmental impact) also promise to bring back the chaotic, unpredictable moments that OGBattlefieldfans love while learning from the missteps of2042.
Overall, it’s safe to say that so far,Battlefield 6is seemingly shaping up to address complaints about2042’s empty maps, offering tighter, more engaging gameplay with improved destruction mechanics, a tight storyline about real-world scenarios, and a return to classic elements like the four-class system. This approach will also help reignite interest in theBattlefieldfranchiseby bringing back what made previous titles successful.
Battlefield 2042
WHERE TO PLAY
Battlefield 2042 is a first-person shooter that marks the return to the iconic all-out warfare of the franchise. With the help of a cutting-edge arsenal, engage in intense, immersive multiplayer battles.Lead your team to victory in both large all-out warfare and close-quarters combat on maps from the world of 2042 and classic Battlefield titles. Find your playstyle in class-based gameplay and take on several experiences comprising elevated versions of Conquest and Breakthrough. Explore Battlefield Portal, a platform where players can discover, create, and share unexpected battles from Battlefield’s past and present.This game includes optional in-game purchases of virtual currency that can be used to acquire virtual in-game items.
