EA has revealed its second "pillar" for Battlefield 2042 as "Battlefield Portal." It's a mode being developed by Ripple Effect Studios, formerly known as DICE LA, and will compress some of the varied history of the franchise into one massive mode. Fans of the series will be able to revisit three different Battlefield games thanks to Battlefield Portal, allowing access to their weaponry, vehicles, and some of the classic maps.
The series has a history of remastering fan-favorite maps, but this is a radically different idea. Not only are the maps remastered and able to fit up to 128-players, but their respective player models, guns, and other game-specific content remain in tact as well. Battlefield 2042 fans can utilize Battlefield Portal to create their own game types as well, allowing for all sorts of interesting custom games similar to Halo within the massive landscapes of a Battlefield map.
That said, long-time Battlefield fans are likely eager to know which games in the Battlefield series will be making an appearance in BF2042's Portal mode, and how Ripple Effect is implementing them.
Battlefield 2042 may be set 21 years in the future, but it will also allow players to go back 79 years in the past to World War II. The last two entries in the series were a modernized take on the two World Wars, but this will bring players back to the roots of DICE's WWII ventures. There were rumblings of remastered maps in Battlefield 2042 prior to the reveal, but many likely assumed it would be modern day maps or, at the very least, be maps reimagined to fit the time period. Battlefield Portal will keep everything intact from Battlefield 1942, with the only noteworthy change being added destruction, as that wasn't a feature until much later in the series.
In addition to 1942's Battle of the Bulge and El Alamein maps returning, players can pit different eras against each other. For example, one team can be filled with soldiers from Battlefield 2042 with all of their advanced weaponry and vehicles while the other team can be WWII soldiers, armed with far less refined guns and Spitfires. Needless to say, Ripple Effect's work on Battlefield 2042 is a lot more than just simply giving old maps new assets - it's re-contextualizing classic Battlefield maps for a whole new kind of experience.
Bad Company hasn't been forgotten by EA. Two maps from Battlefield: Bad Company 2, Arica Harbor and Valparaiso, will appear in Battlefield 2042 via Battlefield Portal. The iconic smiley face grenade pin appeared in Battlefield Portal's reveal trailer, and eagle-eyed fans will notice that even the C4 detonator from that same game appeared in some gameplay footage. It's clear there's a lot of detail was put in to ensure that even gadgets that have appeared in multiple games still line up with their respective era.
Although Battlefield: Bad Company 3 has yet to surface, Ripple Effect has assured fans that it is very much part of the franchise's important lineage. Will fans get to see the long-awaited threequel if there's a strong response to these two maps? Maybe, but players also probably shouldn't hold their breath for it.
Battlefield 3 is yet another beloved entry in the series, thanks to its introduction of the franchise's massive 64-player count and feeling of true all-out warfare. Both the Caspian Border and Noshar Canals Battlefield 3 maps will be playable in all of their glory. Of course, things like EOD bots will also be featured in Battlefield Portal as a result.
Caspian Border was one of the maps that was heavily speculated to be in Battlefield 2042, so it's great to see such a classic map making a return with the added benefit of the upgraded player count and tech. It's highly likely other maps from Battlefield 3 and other titles, possibly including ones that aren't currently confirmed, will be added in future updates for the game. As of right now, though, these six maps will be the only ones available in Battlefield Portal at launch, along with the seven base maps in Battlefield 2042.
