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

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.

The Mobile Adaptation of the Well-Known Battlefield Series, developed by Electronic Arts, was an exciting action game. After being declared as a mobile adaptation, the game underwent numerous trial periods (alpha and beta) before ultimately getting cancelled in 2023. Despite our enthusiasm to experience Electronic Arts’ marquee title on mobile, it sadly never materialized. However, we suspect there were several factors that led to this outcome. As Battlefield Mobile represents a missed chance, let us delve into the story behind the scenes in this article.

Featured Column – The Missed Opportunity

As a dedicated gamer, I’ve often found myself thinking, “What a pity, such a lost chance!” Delving deeper into this sentiment is the engaging column, The Missed Opportunity, from GamingonPhone. This captivating feature focuses on squandered chances in gameplay, design, or marketing for mobile games, detailing how things could have been improved to elevate these titles. Each article offers an insightful analysis of the missteps and proposes constructive solutions.

Battlefield Mobile went dark along with its developer Industrial Toys

In 2018, Electronic Arts purchased Industrial Toys, and work on the associated project began in 2020. By the next year, news about its mobile version emerged. This was followed by alpha and beta testing phases. However, EA decided to halt development of their premium tier title, as well as another battle royale game and Apex Legends Mobile, which had also been in development.

As a devoted fan, I’m sharing some intriguing insights from an interview given by Alex Seropian, founder of Industrial Toys. In the conversation, he highlighted several behind-the-scenes factors contributing to the closure of Battlefield Mobile. One significant factor mentioned was the shutdown of Apex Legends Mobile, which appears to have played a role in this decision.

He mentioned that things were going well initially, but challenges like Battlefield 2042, Apple’s IDFA updates, and Apex Legends Mobile emerged subsequently. Collectively, these hurdles made it difficult for Industrial Toys to acquire additional financing. Beyond halting the development process, the studio Industrial Toys ultimately ceased operations in 2023, as Electronic Arts made the decision to close it down.

In summary, the primary factors leading EA to consider this decision are three significant aspects. Whether cancelling the game’s development was the right move or not, it’s undeniable that mobile gamers would have encountered a substantial change eventually. Sadly, the premature end of Apex Legends Mobile is another disappointment for many.

Emerging titles fueled Battlefield Mobile to become a missed opportunity

When the team was preparing to debut Battlefield Mobile, they were entering a market where established franchises were already thriving. Notably, Fortnite had been launched, PUBG Mobile was ruling the battle royale genre, and COD Mobile was fast approaching. Consequently, it became clear that Battlefield Mobile would encounter stiff competition. Therefore, it required significant resources such as funding and personnel to succeed.

In the action shooter category, there are numerous titles available, yet they tend to lack uniformity in terms of performance. When a game incorporates online multiplayer with PvP (Player versus Player) elements, it necessitates constant upkeep and maintenance. Additionally, the development team is required to work diligently around the clock to roll out updates, introduce fresh content such as events, features, and mechanics for its ongoing operation.

Consequently, it’s mainly the large game studios that can shoulder such financial risks due to their resources. This leads to a multitude of action shooter games being produced, but only a select few receive player attention. Working on established intellectual properties also brings additional responsibilities. The stakes were raised after the Battlefield 2042 failure. Nevertheless, the dedicated team of 120 members was eager to elevate the game to new heights.

In a recent interview, EA expressed a desire to innovate and enhance the thrill of mobile gaming by discovering new methods. This likely stems from their reluctance to invest further in mobile titles following the underperformance of 2042. Yet, even with billions of dollars in revenue during that period, they opted to abandon the game’s development.

According to Seropian’s statement, Battlefield was designed specifically for mobile devices, offering a unique gaming experience. Consequently, not winning the game meant missing out on a special, exclusive gaming encounter. However, we can only imagine what we might have experienced instead.

Battlefield Mobile could have been a great game for action fans

As a dedicated gamer, I’ve got to say that action shooter titles have forged an unbreakable connection with me over the years, leaving an indelible mark on gaming culture with every new franchise. If you’re like me and share a deep affection for action games, then you’ll likely agree that series such as Battlefield, Call of Duty, Far Cry, Assassins Creed (and others) laid the foundation for the gaming landscape we know today. Pioneers in their own right, these franchises paved the way for the fresh, exciting experiences we enjoy now.

Before the world could fully experience the game in action, it unexpectedly halted operation. Initially, it was accessible for testing in certain areas like Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore. The player community provided a range of opinions about the beta version.

Although there were inevitable flaws due to it being in beta, players missed having more engaging features instead of just the current ones. The game featured a quad bike system, but it lacked any kind of airborne vehicle, making the title feel incomplete. Nowadays, it’s effortless to develop a hobby or fascination with mobile gaming. However, mobile gaming didn’t exist until the smartphone revolution occurred, which brought this form of entertainment into being.

As a gaming enthusiast, I can’t help but get pumped when mobile phones start handling heavy games. It’s been long overdue to see some of our favorite titles make their way onto mobile devices, and the announcement of Battlefield Mobile has certainly stirred up quite a storm! The game was first revealed back in 2021, with the full version anticipated for release as early as 2023.

Following trials in certain locations as alpha and beta versions, Electronic Arts decided to halt its release. Despite boasting a promising title, strong reputation, and potential to revolutionize the action shooter genre, Electronic Arts had reservations about the game, ultimately leading to an untimely demise.

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2025-02-25 10:11