[checker]

It's a paid game, but EA/DICE are certainly sacrificing some existing gameplay elements (and story) in order to push Battlefield 2042's "Specialists" as a vehicle for in-game purchases.

Earlier Battlefields had generic soldiers per side that were identifiable by weapon class and customizable by camouflage but retained a clear distinction between the two large teams. This helped players to distinguish friend v foe and to optimize their attack/defend strategy based on the class of their opponent.

Things started going downhill with Battlefield V (WW2). It has "Elites" that can be played on both sides, so it's possible to have a Japanese soldier fighting in an early battle on the Western Front. This is not great for immersion in a game realistically themed around a serious subject.

From what I know about BF2042, because it's in the future, DICE's story is that there is a mercenary war (instead of country vs country). So now DICE can allow players to use their favorite Specialist and cosmetic on either team, which completely ruins friend v foe. And the Specialists can use any weapon which eliminates some of the strategy used when attacking/defending.

Premium cosmetics are certainly harder to pull off in some game types than others. I guess EA/DICE figured the in-game purchases will more than offset any popularity losses from these gameplay sacrifices. But hopefully DICE will be able to find a sweet spot if they are willing refine their current approach.

[yorwba]

> it's possible to have a Japanese soldier fighting in an early battle on the Western Front. This is not great for immersion in a game realistically themed around a serious subject.

The 442nd regiment composed mostly of Japanese Americans was deployed in Europe: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/442nd_Infantry_Regiment_(Unite...

So what's breaking the immersion? Are they wearing the wrong uniforms?

[sleepybrett]

I don't think he's saying that there were no people of Japanese descent on the western front, I think he's saying that no members of the Japanese Imperial Army, and potentially specifically infantry, that were deployed on the western front. I don't have enough historical knowledge to know if that is true or not, but I could believe that.

[checker]

Yeah sorry wasn't specific enough. AFAIK there were no Japanese imperial soldiers dressed in Pacific front gear fighting in the snow at Narvik Norway. Nor for that matter American pilots in bomber jackets.

[checker]

Oh cool TIL. Yeah I didn't describe it well. The most egregious examples are: characters speaking Japanese while wearing Imperial Pacific uniforms and American pilots wearing aviators+bomber jackets, while fighting in the snowy mountains of Narvik, Norway.

[dageshi]

Yes the alternative was paid expansions for new maps and weapons, which people also didn't like because it split the player base.

[imwillofficial]

Some somebody who put hundreds of hours into BF4: Nobody, and I mean nobody identified their foes based on outfit. Specialists are take the “generic nameless soldier” aspect out of it, and I think that’s a step backwards, but not fake breaking. Yet.

[Arrath]

Did you not play hardcore or friendly fire-enabled and no-hud modes?

If you can't identify someone based on uniform and coloring, you're in for some nasty team kills.

[imwillofficial]

Yeah I played those only. And you know what, you’re 100% correct. In my mind was I was thinking the different models used for specialties, not IFF applications.

This reminds me how much I still love BF4