Tales of human drama aren't exactly what most gamers think of when it comes to the Battlefield franchise's history of lackluster campaigns over the years. In fact, most fans of the franchise likely haven't even touched the various campaign modes, with the franchise's massive multiplayer battles being the real draw of the series.
That could finally be changing with the release of Battlefield 1. Rather than a story focusing on a single character, the developers at DICE have instead opted for five mini-campaigns that will take players on a virtual tour of the globe-spanning conflict that was World War I.
"The Great War is diverse," writes DICE in a recent blog post. "We knew we wanted to embrace that variety. There were so many different perspectives and characters in World War I and we wanted to cover as much ground as possible."
One campaign titled "Nothing is Written," for example, sees players stepping into the shoes of a Bedouin warrior working alongside the legendary Lawrence of Arabia in order to defeat the Ottoman Empire.
Another, "Friends in High Places," takes players to the skies for aerial dogfights over Europe, where "unexpected encounters and a story of friendship" await.
The "Through Mud and Blood" campaign sees players joining a dysfunctional tank crew in France who must break through enemy lines.
"The Runner" will see players delivering key messages across the frontlines during the historic Gallipoli landings, which EA describes as the D-Day of World War I.
Last but not least, "Avanti Savoi" takes players to the Swiss Alps during a stalemate between Italian and Austro-Hungarian forces. There players will don Arditi armor and press the assault on a key strategic fort.
DICE says it wanted stronger characters for Battlefield 1's various campaigns, which led to the decision for the team to focus on the game's cinematics.
"We wanted the player to see and feel what the characters are going through, rather than just experiencing it from behind their eyes," DICE states. "That has really [paid] off for us not just in storytelling ability, but in emotional engagement."
Gameplay-wise, DICE is shooting for giving players the same kind of choices they would see in Battlefield 1's multiplayer modes. Do you destroy enemy artillery or use it for yourself? Do you take out enemies from long range with a sniper or go running into the enemy encampment with guns blazing? DICE says players will be able to play their way.
Battlefield 1 arrives on Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC on Oct. 21. Those who purchase the Early Enlister Deluxe Edition of the game will be able to start playing on Oct. 18.
