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Online games still holding our attention

Although Battlefield and Call Of Duty have always differed in significant ways, they’re ultimately two series about war that are in competition with one another when it comes to sales. 2021 sees a new entry for each, and in terms of innovation, Battlefield is going to be hard to beat.

Battlefield Portal, which allows players to dig down to the bones of the experience to create their own game modes, has enormous potential.

Hazard Zone, while it cherrypicks elements from other games, somewhat ironically could prove to be even more important. This mode is almost like a completely different game, which will prove to be its greatest strength – or its greatest weakness.

With one life per round and multiple squads trying to collect the same data drives, Hazard Zone wanders far from the established template (as

Close Quarters did with its cramped environments, with limited success). It’s gambling not only on a significant cut to player numbers, but also on Battlefield players being willing and able to work together closely in teams of four.

It could be a spectacular success, something that becomes a popular mainstay of the series going forward, or a spectacular failure, with most players unable or unwilling to abandon the style of play they prefer in the main modes. Either way, DICE is stepping outside its comfort zone, and that’s to be applauded.