Games

The Missed Opportunity – Battlefield Mobile: A Wasted Chance for EA

BBG News

Story Highlights

  • EA measured mobile and PC/console similarly, failing to understand the pulse.
  • The performance of other titles fell hard on Battlefield Mobile.
  • Despite working so hard, EA choose to not support the developer studio.

In this write-up, we’ll delve into the intriguing story behind Battlefield Mobile, the mobile adaptation of the beloved Battlefield series from Electronic Arts. Initially unveiled as a mobile adaptation, the game progressed through various testing stages, including alpha and beta phases. Unfortunately, in 2023, the project was scrapped, leaving us fans eagerly anticipating its arrival on mobile platforms unfulfilled. While it’s unfortunate that we never got to experience EA’s flagship title on our phones, there were likely reasons contributing to this setback. This article aims to shed light on the untold story behind Battlefield Mobile, a potential missed opportunity.

Featured Column – The Missed Opportunity

Have you ever played a game and found yourself thinking, “What a shame, what a lost chance!”? GamingonPhone’s column titled “The Missed Opportunity” shares the same sentiment, examining squandered chances in gameplay, design, or even marketing that could have significantly improved these mobile games. Each article takes a deep dive into the mistakes made and suggests potential improvements for a better gaming experience.

Battlefield Mobile went dark along with its developer Industrial Toys

In 2018, Electronic Arts purchased Industrial Toys, initiating the development of a new title in 2020. The following year, news about its mobile version emerged. After alpha and beta tests, however, EA made the decision to halt production on their premium tier game, which included Apex Legends Mobile, alongside another battle royale game and a promising new hit game.

In a recent conversation, Alex Seropian, founder of Industrial Toys, discussed the cancellation of Battlefield Mobile and shared some intriguing behind-the-scenes details. One notable factor leading to the demise of Battlefield Mobile is the success of Apex Legends Mobile.

He mentioned that things were satisfactory initially, but subsequently, Battlefield 2042, Apple’s IDFA modifications, and the arrival of Apex Legends Mobile entered the picture.

In summary, these challenges hindered Industrial Toys from obtaining further financing. Additionally, due to a decision made by Electronic Arts, Industrial Toys ceased operations along with the shutdown of their development studio in the year 2023.

In summary, the main factors leading EA to consider this decision have been outlined as three critical issues.

Abandoning the project’s progress might or might not have been the wisest decision for the company, but ultimately, mobile gaming enthusiasts missed out on a significant, impactful experience in the long run. Regrettably, the premature end of Apex Legends Mobile was another source of disappointment.

Emerging titles fueled Battlefield Mobile to become a missed opportunity

When the developers were preparing to launch their game, there were well-established franchises in the market that had already gained significant popularity. For instance, Fortnite had been released, PUBG Mobile was dominating the battle royale genre, and COD Mobile was quickly climbing up the ranks. Consequently, it became clear that Battlefield Mobile would encounter stiff competition. To ensure its success, it required essential resources such as manpower and funding.

In the action shooter category, you’ll find plenty of games, yet they often fall short when it comes to maintaining consistent performance. For those games that offer online multiplayer and player-versus-player (PvP) modes, regular, essential upkeep is crucial.

In my gaming world, I see the constant effort required to keep a game alive with updates, fresh content, events, and mechanics. It takes a significant investment, which is something only larger studios can typically manage. This risky move means that even though there’s no shortage of action shooter games, it’s often just a handful that truly capture the attention of players.

Working on major franchises comes with additional duties. After Battlefield 2042 didn’t perform as expected, the stakes were even higher. Yet, our committed team of 120 individuals was eager to elevate the game to new heights.

In a recent conversation, EA expressed a desire to innovate and enhance the thrill of mobile gaming rather than investing further in a new mobile title, following the underperformance of their previous attempt (2042). Although EA generated substantial income during those years, they opted to abandon the project.

According to Seropian’s statement, Battlefield was specifically designed for mobile devices, offering a unique gaming experience. Therefore, not winning the game meant missing out on a distinct gaming adventure that we can only speculate about now.

Battlefield Mobile could have been a great game for action fans

Action shooter games have developed a lasting relationship with players, establishing a legacy for each series. Many of us who share a passion for action games and long-term play will likely concur that franchises such as Battlefield, Call of Duty, Far Cry, Assassin’s Creed, etc., shaped the gaming culture we see today. Subsequently, these trends were picked up and continued by the popular titles we witness now.

Before the global community could fully experience the game, it temporarily halted operations. Initially, it was accessible in certain areas like Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore during its beta phase. Reactions from players testing the beta version were varied.

Despite being a beta version with inevitable glitches, players found the game lacking in engaging features compared to what they expected. The inclusion of a quad bike system was there, yet the absence of an aerial vehicle left the title feeling incompletely named.

Mobile gaming has only become accessible recently, making it simple for people to develop habits or grow interests in this area. However, the idea of mobile gaming didn’t exist until the evolution of smartphones occurred. As mobile phones started becoming capable of running demanding games, we were thrilled to witness classic titles being adapted for mobile platforms.

Indeed, it was high time to discover which games would make their way onto mobile devices, and Battlefield Mobile sparked quite a buzz. The game, initially announced in the year 2021, is slated for a full-version release in early 2023.

Following trials in specific areas as alpha and beta versions, Electronic Arts decided to discontinue the game. Despite its promising title, reputation, and potential to revolutionize the action shooter genre, Electronic Arts expressed doubts about it, ultimately leading to an untimely end for the game.

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2025-02-25 07:11

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