EA DICE has confirmed that it's considering bringing back a feature for Battlefield 2042 that's long been requested. In many ways, Battlefield fans have already lowered their expectations for Battlefield 2042's continued development. Yet DICE continues to roll out seasonal content, even faster perhaps than when Battlefield 2042 first launched. It's also reevaluating other decisions, including the lack of a communication feature that has frustrated some Battlefield 2042 players.It's been increasingly accurate over the past decade or so that online multiplayer games have chosen to limit the ways that players communicate with each other. Given the limitations of text and audio moderation tools and gaming companies being unwilling to fund those moderation tools, limiting communication has been an attractive alternative. Yet as live service games struggle to retain players, some are actually reversing course and catering more toward dedicated niche communities.Battlefield 2042 is considering making just such a decision. During Battlefield 2042's recent update 4.0 Dev Corner Twitch stream, EA DICE mentioned that it was considering reintroducing "All Chat" functionality. All Chat is a text chat feature where players on opposing teams are able to talk with each other. Further information on the subject is planned to be shared during the Inside Battlefield podcast planned for release Monday, March 6.
Response within Battlefield 2042's online communities has been largely positive but also captures some of the concerns developers have that likely led to All Chat being disabled in the first place. Players mention how excited they are to trash-talk the other team again, and that some of their favorite multiplayer interactions stem from conversations in All Chat. There are those that have voiced their concerns, though, saying they're not looking forward to toxic chat or asking EA DICE to make sure there's an option to turn All Chat off.
Obviously, no player is going to say they will use All Chat to harass or bully other players, but that is certainly something that happens in online games where it's enabled. Developers have seen the frequency of inappropriate chats and measured whether there's constructive chat as well, and decided it wasn't worth it. However, unhealthy chat with "banter" is seen as a positive to some core shooter players, which makes some developers reconsider whether enabling some harassment is worth it.
EA DICE has yet to fully confirm its plans for All Chat's return to Battlefield 2042. Those plans may coincide with increased moderation efforts so that All Chat doesn't lead to increased bullying and harassment. Alternatively, EA DICE may not consider it a priority. But it's certain to create a conversation about the positives and negatives regarding All Chat and why many modern games have chosen to disable it altogether.
Battlefield 2042 is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.