Battlefield 5, the most recent release in theBattlefieldfranchise, is ending support this June, withBattlefield 6confirmed to be on the way. BothCall of DutyandBattlefieldhave recently revisited World War 2 as a return to each franchise’s roots. Now it seemsCall of Duty’s annual releases are shifting back to modern and futuristic battlefields. Either EA’s first-person shooter will follow suit, or the franchise could once again carve its own path.
Of course, this brings into question what time periodBattlefield 6could take place in. It’s very possible the series could return to contemporary warfare, similar to many entries before. Or the franchise could pull anotherBattlefield 1and pick a time of war that games have rarely portrayed. There’s a few options forBattlefield 6in terms of a time period or setting, ranging from the most likely to most improbable.
Battlefield 6: Modern Times
A modern setting forBattlefield 6is the most likely choice for a time period. World War 2 hype/interest died off pretty quickly after 2018, andBattlefield 5already touched on WW2so the franchise will likely be moving on to something new. Some of the most popularBattlefieldgames likeBad CompanyandBattlefield 3/4were also based on modern combat, so coming back to the 21st century would be a safe bet. Despite the trite comparison, it is worth noting thatCall of Duty: Modern Warfarehas seen great success in returning to one of that franchise’s most popular time periods as well.
Battlefield 3andBattlefield 4were both based on modern combat, and saw the greatest commercial success prior to the best-sellingBattlefield 1. Plus, modern military has actually advanced incredibly since 2014 with higher usage of drones and autonomous ordnance, so there’s plenty of new material forBattlefield 6to explore.
Battlefield 6: Vietnam
AssumingBattlefieldstill wants to revisit other pivotal points in history, there is one time period the franchise touched on very briefly. Returning to Vietnam would be perfect for theBattlefieldfranchise because the combat during the Vietnam War emphasizes what the series has done best. Plus,a vignette-style campaign like inBattlefield 1but set during the Vietnam War could be incredibly interesting, and considering the many diverse perspectives the player could view the war through would provide a very compelling story. Chaotic firefights in jungles, lush and varied scenery, and paired with destructionBattlefieldis known for, a Vietnam time period would evoke seriousBad Company 2vibes.
Speaking of which, one ofBattlefield: Bad Company 2’s final expansions was also based in Vietnam, so the potential is there. There also was aBattlefield Vietnamreleased in 2004, so there’s a few sources inBattlefield’s history that DICE could use as a jumping off point for a new iteration.
Battlefield 6: Something Completely New
Of course, theBattlefieldfranchise could surprise fans with something completely new for the series.Perhaps not as outlandishBattlefield Hardline, but something like a completely new time period or setting. There’s still a variety of conflicts throughout world history that many games, not justBattlefield, still haven’t tackled in a video game. Conflicts like the American Civil War, the Korean War, and the modern 20th century Middle Eastern conflicts come to mind. Any one of those wars would be a wild departure for the series thus far, but would be incredibly unique. It would give a chance for players to get to know some of the lesser conflicts in world history that are worth knowing.
Only problem with taking the adventurous route withBattlefieldis that the game could potentially dip into risky territory. Conflicts that simply are lesser known, not as long-lasting, or even uninteresting from a gameplay perspective could make developing these games that much less feasible.It’s very unlikelyBattlefield 6would select anything that’s pre-20th centurythat isn’t WW2 or the Vietnam War, but there is the tiniest chance that a spin-off title or mainline entry could explore a conflict not often seen in games.
In the end,Battlefield 6will likely tackle whatever conflict it deems is most interesting from a gameplay perspective. Any kind of war or conflict in the past that involved mass destruction or great turmoil will serve as a solid foundation for the next game. Vietnam and modern combat are the most plausible choices, but the franchise has been known to surprise fans before.
