Wallpaper shared by a member in this thread.
Battlefield 2042 is the twelfth mainline Battlefield game, a near-future military shooter developed by DICE and published by Electronic Arts on 19 November 2021 for PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S. It launched with 128-player matches, Specialists instead of classes, no campaign and the Portal mode-builder, had a troubled first year, and was rebuilt through seven free seasons until support ended in 2024.
Last verified: November 2026 · Game: Battlefield 2042 · Type: game
| Field | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Developer / publisher | DICE (with Ripple Effect and Criterion) / Electronic Arts | EA |
| Engine | Frostbite | DICE |
| Release | 19 Nov 2021 (12 Nov early access) | EA |
| Setting | 2042: the No-Pat “Non-Patriated” forces fighting for the United States and Russia | Game |
| Max players | 128 on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series; 64 on PS4 and Xbox One | EA |
| Classes | Specialists at launch; sorted into Assault, Engineer, Support and Recon classes in early 2023 [verify: update] | EA |
| Launch maps | Kaleidoscope, Manifest, Orbital, Discarded, Renewal, Breakaway, Hourglass | Game |
| Season maps | Exposure, Stranded, Spearhead, Flashpoint, Reclaimed, Redacted, Haven, Stadium | EA |
| Modes | Conquest, Breakthrough, Hazard Zone, Portal (with Battlefield 1942, Bad Company 2 and Battlefield 3 maps) | Game |
| Support | Seven seasons, June 2022 to 2024 | EA |
Link to section: What it isWhat it is
Battlefield 2042 was the series’ biggest departure: no campaign, 128 players, Specialists with unique gadgets in place of classes, and Portal, a mode-builder with remastered maps and factions from Battlefield 1942, Bad Company 2 and Battlefield 3. The launch was rough, with bugs, performance problems and maps criticised as too large and too empty, and the game became a byword for a troubled release. DICE spent 2022 and 2023 reworking it: launch maps were rebuilt with more cover and smaller layouts, the Specialists were grouped back into four classes, and seven seasons added eight maps.
The pre-release discussion on this site, from the 2021 reveal onwards, is in the Battlefield 2042 forum.
Link to section: How it playsHow it plays
After the reworks, 2042 plays like a larger Battlefield 4: Conquest and Breakthrough on big maps with vehicles including hovercraft and tilt-rotor aircraft, a plus menu for changing weapon attachments on the fly, and dynamic weather including the tornado on Kaleidoscope and the sandstorm on Hourglass. Portal is where many players spend their time, running classic maps with classic rules. Hazard Zone, a squad extraction mode, was abandoned after the first season.
Link to section: Maps at launchMaps at launch
Kaleidoscope · Manifest · Orbital · Discarded · Renewal · Breakaway · Hourglass
Link to section: Modes and seasonsModes and seasons
Portal · Hazard Zone · Seasons
Link to section: Changes by patchChanges by patch
| Date | Update | Change | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 2022 | Season 1: Zero Hour | Exposure map; Kaleidoscope rework begins | EA |
| Aug 2022 | Season 2: Master of Arms | Stranded map | EA |
| Nov 2022 | Season 3: Escalation | Spearhead map; Manifest and Breakaway reworks | EA |
| Feb 2023 | Season 4: Eleventh Hour | Flashpoint map; class system [verify] | EA |
| Jun 2023 | Season 5: New Dawn | Reclaimed map | EA |
| Oct 2023 | Season 6: Dark Creations | Redacted map | EA |
| Mar 2024 | Season 7: Turning Point | Haven and Stadium maps; final season | EA |
Link to section: SourcesSources
- Battlefield 2042 forum on this site, from the 2021 reveal onwards
- The World of 2042, the setting discussion
- Official Battlefield 2042 wallpapers thread
Link to section: FAQFAQ
Does Battlefield 2042 have a campaign?
No. It is multiplayer only, with the setting told through short films and in-game narration.
How many players does Battlefield 2042 support?
128 on PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S; 64 on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
Is Battlefield 2042 still active in 2026?
Servers remain online and Portal and Conquest find matches, though most of the player base moved to Battlefield 6 in October 2025.
What is Portal?
A mode-builder that lets players set rules and run remastered maps from Battlefield 1942, Bad Company 2 and Battlefield 3 alongside 2042 content.
What came before and after Battlefield 2042?
Battlefield V (2018) before it, Battlefield 6 (2025) after it. See every Battlefield game in order.
Discuss the game in the Battlefield 2042 forum. This page is part of the Battlefield Wiki.