To understand the issues facing AAA games today, examining the development of the upcoming Battlefield title, codenamed Glacier, offers clarity.
In the early 2010s, Battlefield 3 and Battlefield 4 expanded the franchise’s reach to rival Call of Duty, blending large-scale warfare with faster gameplay and broader platform support. Developed mainly by EA’s Swedish studio DICE, this era marked a high point for Battlefield.
However, Battlefield V in 2018 received mixed reviews, and EA began to lose ground as new shooter titles like Overwatch and Fortnite gained popularity. The latter popularized the Battle Royale mode, which EA unsuccessfully tried to replicate in Battlefield V.
Following these setbacks, DICE shifted focus to recapture the success of earlier titles with Battlefield 2042, set for launch in 2021. But the game failed to meet expectations and was widely criticized for its lack of fun and polish.
Industry insiders revealed that Battlefield 2042 missed key alpha development milestones, which are designed to establish core gameplay features early in the process. Meeting these milestones is crucial for a smooth final release.
“They realistically had to delay the game by at least six months to complete it properly. Instead, the release was postponed by only four or five weeks, which from a development perspective was insufficient,” said a source closely involved with the project.
This rushed schedule contributed to the game’s disappointing launch and highlights the broader struggles faced by AAA studios under tight deadlines and high expectations.