The Battlefield 2042 release date is fast approaching, which has many gamers saving their money in anticipation. Is that necessary, though? Will Battlefield 2042 be free to play? Here’s the need-to-know info on the BF 2042 pricing model and whether or not it’s a F2P live service title.
Is Battlefield 2042 a free-to-play game?
Battlefield 2042 will feature “free to enter components” over time. At launch, however, Battlefield 2042 is a premium experience that payers must pay to play.
In an investor earnings call, EA CEO Andrew Wilson said that the paid launch of Battlefield 2042 “forms the foundation for what we believe the future of a live service around Battlefield is.” In time, Battlefield Mobile and the “free to enter components” of BF 2042 will change the series’ complexion.
Although Battlefield 2042 will seemingly never be a free-to-play game in its entirety, certain elements will be accessible at no cost to players in the future. Largely unsubstantiated rumors indicate that one F2P element could be “Hazard Zone,” Battlefield 2042’s reported battle royale mode. Although there isn’t much substance to back this up at the time of writing, it’d make sense as the business model is working well for rival franchise Call of Duty.
CoD: Warzone exists as a standalone free product that crosses over with each paid mainline game. Battlefield Hazard Zone could adopt a similar model and share many elements with Battlefield 2042, all while BF 2042 remains its own separate entity. Players that wish to play the series’ more conventional modes would still need to purchase Battlefield 2042 in this scenario.
For more on Battlefield 2042, get the latest on the all-new Portal mode. This creative mode is also playing a part in Electronic Arts’ vision of developing the franchise into an evolving live service. Of course, whether or not the move will pay off currently remains to be seen.
