It’s not a particularly controversial statement to say that the tone of Battlefield 2042 is at least somewhat inconsistent with the rest of the series. Just compare the grim and gritty atmosphere of Battlefield 1 to the over-the-top spectacle of the Battlefield 2042 trailers.
Fans were more than a little baffled by the leaked Santa Claus skin earlier this month. However, it seems that wasn’t the end of Battlefield 2042’s holiday-themed content. Today, the Battlefield Bulletin Twitter account announced that the new Attack of the Elves mode is live now in the Battlefield Portal.
Attack of the Elves is a 32-player infection mode available from December 16th, 2021, to January 6th, 2022. According to the in-game description, Santa’s Elves went mad after falling into a vat of special eggnog and are disrupting the seasonal festivities. The mode’s available for all Battlefield 1942, Bad Company 2, Battlefield 3, and Battlefield 2042 maps. Elf players go into battle with the grappling hook and a “Christmas Lollypop” with Santa players toting a cherry red LCMG. Note that Santa players are limited to hip fire only, encouraging a more spray and pray gameplay style.
In addition, DICE introduced a new 1942 vs. 2042 Conquest mode. As the name suggests, the 64-player mode uses maps and weapons from Battlefield 1942 and Battlefield 2042. It sounds like pitting 1940s soldiers against an opponent from a century in their future would be a primarily one-sided confrontation. However, it’s presumably much more balanced than it sounds, and even if it isn’t, Battlefield 2042’s Portal allows players to tweak the weapon stats however they like.
DICE’s announcement of Battlefield 2042’s limited-time Attack of the Elves mode saw a mixed response online. While some fans seem enthusiastic about the campy new content, other players aren't as thrilled. However, the fact that it’s a temporary mode seems to have offset the negativity. The new game mode at least seemed to be substantially better received than Battlefield 2042’s controversial “Father Winter” skin, which let players dress up as a tactically equipped Saint Nicholas. Many felt that a Santa-inspired skin conflicted with the game’s aesthetic and tone.
Not that Battlefield 2042 didn’t already have an inconsistent tone. The game’s setting and backstory paint a dystopian picture of ecological collapse, failed states, and global proxy wars. But, on the other hand, it’s packed with wacky and borderline childish voice lines while the trailers played up the absurd antics that players can get up to. So, while a temporary game mode might not be the biggest deal, some might see it as part of an ongoing trend with DICE’s divisive multiplayer FPS.
Battlefield 2042 is available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.