Battlefield 2042 looks like it will feature a good amount of content on launch day. Alongside seven brand-new maps, the intriguing Portal mode will be bringing back six fan favorites. It will also give players access to some creator tools so that they can design their own game modes, a feature that will surely keep players busy until more official content from DICE and Ripple Effect is added. With new mechanics coming to Battlefield 2042 as well, there is a lot to look forward to.
Unfortunately, despite all this content, Battlefield 2042 will be missing a ranked mode at launch. For those who like to play video games competitively, this has been seen as a letdown, as many were hoping they would have the chance to climb some kind of competitive ladder in the latest Battlefield release. However, there are a few reasons that gamers should avoid being too negative about this news. Not only does it give DICE and gamers time to prepare, but it could give fans time to see if a ranked mode is even something that would work with the game.
Giving Battlefield 2042 Players Time To Practice
One reason why it is not a big deal that Battlefield 2042 will not have ranked play at launch is the fact that it gives players some time to practice. Battlefield 2042 is introducing some complex new systems, and players could have the time to master them before a proper ranked mode is added. The Weapon Plus system, for example, could be toyed with prior to a ranked mode coming. Players could then figure out the best possible attachments, having their perfect setup ready to go for ranked play.
The same logic applies to weapons and vehicles in Battlefield 2042. Players could learn what the best setups for tanks and jets are, while the strongest gun builds could also be found and shared by the game’s community. Waiting on a ranked mode allows players to determine Battlefield 2042’s meta, learning which classes will give them the best chance for success in a competitive setting. This same logic applies to Battlefield 2042’s maps, as players will be able to learn the ins-and-outs for each. Everything from spawn points to power positions can be learned, with objective locations also being memorized.
Battlefield 2042’s new Specialists only add to this need for practice. Players need time to figure out which item works best for their playstyle. Whether it be a robot dog, recon drone, or grappling hook, all items seem like game changers. As such, players need a chance to figure out what suits them, something that would not be an option if ranked mode came right away. With this in mind, Battlefield 2042 holding off on competitive play for the time being seems like a fine move, even if it is a bit of a letdown for those that like jumping into competitive modes as soon as a game makes its debut.
Giving DICE Time To Properly Balance Battlefield 2042
While one side of the coin sees Battlefield 2042 fans having time to learn the game, the other side sees DICE having time to address any potential concerns that gamers have with it. This means that any bugs and glitches can be fixed prior to a ranked mode happening, with DICE prioritizing the regular audience and getting the game into a great state first. Outside of just bug squashing, balancing could take place before a ranked mode comes, with DICE knocking down overpowered guns and vehicles while simultaneously giving a boost to those that are too weak.
With Battlefield 2042’s tornadoes already coming under fire from those that have had the chance to play the game early, DICE could see similar scenarios play out once the game releases. As such, the studio can design a potential ranked mode with all the community criticisms in mind, leaving mechanics and guns that players dislike out of competitive play. The same applies to maps and modes, as DICE would have the data to determine which are the most suited for a ranked experience.
On top of balancing, DICE would be able to avoid a situation like Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War’s League Play. While the mode has improved a bit since it debuted, it lacked systems that players were expecting when it launched. However, with no ranked mode confirmed, DICE can take all the time it needs to come up with some strong systems and mechanics for Battlefield 2042’s potential competitive mode. With it likely taking a lot of planning and effort to get right, a methodical approach would undoubtedly be for the best.
Battlefield 2042 May Not Even Need A Ranked Mode
The biggest reason not to be bothered about Battlefield 2042 lacking a ranked mode is the fact that it might not even need one. The games players look back on fondly, like Battlefield 3 and Battlefield 4, did not prioritize ranked play at all. Instead, they doubled down on the casual experience, with players able to have fun regardless of whether they were blowing up buildings or sniping hundreds of feet away from an objective. Battlefield has always been a casual shooter overall, with the few attempts at competitive modes failing to take off.
It is hard to imagine a situation where ranked play in Battlefield would feel balanced, either. Unlike something like Call of Duty or Overwatch, which are kept to small teams, Battlefield 2042’s lobbies will be massive. 128-player matches will see two teams of 64 going head-to-head, meaning that the maps will be huge to match. With this in mind, Battlefield 2042 could simply be too big of a game to deliver an intense and fair ranked experience. Not only will maps be too massive to foster a competitive atmosphere, but the number of players could be too large to properly balance around.
With teams of 64, it is unrealistic to expect one player to be able to sway a match. Unlike other shooters where matches can be changed by one player’s good play, 128-player matches will be a lot different. While Battlefield 2042 uses a special SBMM system to accommodate for this in casual play, this system sees a mix of great players and weak players on both sides. With so many gamers involved in one match, it is hard to imagine a scenario where both sides are evenly matched. Even if this were possible, matchmaking could take an incredibly long time, and getting proper clan battles together would be a nightmare. As such, while a ranked mode could certainly come at some point, it might not be worth it. While the Battlefield series has a lot of strengths, it has never really had a competitive scene - and that may not change anytime soon.
Battlefield 2042 launches October 22 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.