Ripple Effect, an evolution of Battlefield's DICE LA, recently put out a job-ad "looking for a Senior 3D Artist to help create the most realistic and exciting destruction effects in the industry." And while this isn't a bad goal per se, it feels like an attempt to fix the least important issue moving forward after BF2042.
A recent job ad went live from Ripple Effect, who have the daunting responsibility to continue the Battlefield franchise. In the ad, they ask for a Senior 3D Artist to "create the most realistic and exciting destruction effects in the industry." This was leapt on by a great many fans, who have understandably been gagging for some positive Battlefield news.
Without trying to sound contrarian, I urge fellow Battlefield fans to temper their excitement. Even if they do achieve the "most realistic and exciting" destruction effects in the industry, I don't think that's enough. And, if anything, it worries me that too little will change if this becomes a focus.
Here is how InsiderGaming's Grant Taylor-Hill, who first broke the story, describes the state of destruction in BF2042:
It’s no big secret that one of the most disappointing factors of Battlefield 2042 was its stark lack of destruction effects.Battlefield was always synonymous with destructibility, with players being able to bring down entire buildings with tanks, helicopters, and explosive weapons.
He's absolutely right that 2042 lacks destruction effects. And he's also right that Battlefield was once famous for having these effects. But I disagree that this particular issue was one of the most disappointing factors in Battlefield 2042.
Going back to the reviews published at the time, and the "Most Helpful" user reviews on Steam, almost no one mentions destruction effects. Or, if they do, it's just another mention on a long list of negatives. Infinitely more common are the comparisons to Call of Duty, the disappointment with Specialists, and the lack of incentive to use teamwork or co-ordinate with your squad.
These issues are more critical, and I really want to see them addressed, because I want to love Battlefield again.
Of course, it would be ridiculous to turn down great destruction effects. But frankly, I don't expect the novelty of those effects to impress anyone as much in 2023.
And we all know how incredible their team are at selling explosive, cinematic moments (the trailer for BF20242 was insanely cool). Let's not have the wool pulled over our eyes again.
Instead, I want to seem them poaching smart game designers, so they can look more seriously at exactly what people loved in older Battlefield games. I think it was the sense of being just one smaller part of a greater whole.