New and old Battlefield fans are gearing up to drop the fatigues and balaclavas in favor of the unis and ski masks. While many Battlefield enthusiasts decry the similarities between Battlefield Hardline and Battlefield 4, a Hardline producer says the latest game is more than a reskin of its military-themed predecessor.
Hardline has been a hard sell, but its latest beta appears to have drawn more enthusiasm from fans than did the initial public test of the game.
After retooling Battlefield Hardline and launching beta that was more successful than the first try, Mike Glosecki, the gameplay systems producer for Battlefield Hardline, said the game is much more than a reskin of Battlefield 4 and the PC version isn't a port.
"We've seen comments that some people think Hardline is a re-skin of Battlefield or at the opposite end of the spectrum and should not be called a Battlefield game," said Glosecki. "Let me give you my take. Battlefield is about all-out-war, teamplay, and strategy which Hardline delivers in a cops and criminals setting."
On one hand, Battlefield Hardline includes classic game modes such as 64-player Conquest, said Glosecki. On the other, modes like Heist and Hotwire have replaced Rush and Capture the Flag.
Glosecki also pointed out that the latest Battlefield game includes new mechanics, such as the takedowns that allow players to interrogate enemies for information on other enemy combatants.
Although a different studio has been handling the development of Battlefield Hardline, fans of the Battlefield series have been wary of annual releases and expressed concerns over the gameplay's increase in pace. To address the concerns about the potential dilution of tactical play, Glosecki said: "Hardline has [tactics] in spades."
"We've also seen some comments that the game feels too fast, which means that it is less tactical and less team-based," said Glosecki. "I want to point out that tactics are about action."
Unlike Rockstar -- ahem, GTA -- Battlefield has devoted special attention to PC players. On that note, Glosecki said Hardline won't be served to PC players in the form of a console port.
"Battlefield started on the PC with 1942, and we know we have a passionate fan base on this platform," he said.
While the Battlefield community may be split on whether or not Battlefield Hardline is a worthy entry into the series, Electronic Arts is treating it like one. Battlefield Hardline's premium details were leaked, and EA hasn't touched the formula there, according to what appears to be leaked promotional content.
Battlefield Hardline's premium subscription will include four new map packs, 12 more battlepacks, two weeks of early access and more digital gifts. A leaked image has been posted on Reddit.
