Unfortunately, DICE did not transotioned well from paid DLC to free content plus microtransactions model. It is completely different thing in terms of planning, making and (most importnant) structure of content itself. With DLC what we got was:
~ 5 maps per pack
~ 10-12 weapons (2 per class, later on also 2 secondary)
- few new gagdets (typically one per class)
- some new vehicles (1-2, typically ground based transport and/or armed one)
- bunch of challenges for new dog tags
All of it was delivered in between 3 to 4 months.
But BFV was clearly first sign of issues. Less maps, weapons and other content but with similar time to wait. And micro DLC side was not impressive in term of how much, quick and regular was delivered...
Mostly because DICE did not have enough manpower for creating new content, fixing issues (and BFV had A LOT of them), balacing/tweaking (especially connected to new in-game mechanics) AND taking care of support for SW:BF2.
ANd of course NOTHING was done for proper transition in case of BF2042. Things even got worse:
- many, if not most of veterans left the studio
- newly hired needed adapt to working with hard to learn/master engine
- even adding additional help from other dev teams did not help - hell, Portal content was made as almost separate entity, which locked ability for simple copy-and-paste stuff to All Out Warfare (maps being exception)
- working from homes also contributed - problems with internal communication, flow of data/assets, even getting proper tools for devs to work from home
- and fina nail in coffin: trying to make title much closer to Battle Royale genre, than true sequel to earlier titles in the series. But then quick deathspree among other new BR titles triggered the decision to fall back on this plan.
No proper plan and forced date of release and the rsult we got is botched execution.
Meantime MW2019 is great egzample of precisely planned and realised ttile. Designed as a full scale REVIVE of whole series (which was still selling VERY well) that left paid DLC model and fully transitioned to Micro-DLC and Battle Pass system with free gameplay content (maps and guns). Content, that was delivered frequently. AND LATER ON GOT F2P BR SPIN-OFF WHICH LITERALLY CONQUERED THE WORLD!!!
DICE need a complete overhaul as a studio. Need to learn from MW2019. Starting with delivering a solid product on release, then IN REGULAR basis adding content IN THE SAME PACE AS PREVIOUS MODEL! If they want few months long seasons- each one needs AT LEAST the same amount of free content as in one DLC pack (maps, guns, gagdets etc). While developing paid stuff for Pass and Store. That means separate teams dedicated solely for microtransactions and separate one for free elements.
Also - if you want to cater to veterans and stand out a bit in crowd of games - bring dog tags back (and collecting them from enemies as a trophies). They got the coolest look from all player identity elements of UI. Much better than calling cards and emblems, WHICH ARE ALMOST IN EVERY GAME!!!
Would be nice for the Community Managers to let us know what kind of plans they have for future seasons. Should we accept our fate and expect 1 map and 1 or 2 reworks per season? If so, why? I thought 100's of people were working on this game. If you're planning to add more than this, tell us so we have something to look forward too and keep the game alive.
@MortalitasWolf wrote:Would be nice for the Community Managers to let us know what kind of plans they have for future seasons. Should we accept our fate and expect 1 map and 1 or 2 reworks per season? If so, why? I thought 100's of people were working on this game. If you're planning to add more than this, tell us so we have something to look forward too and keep the game alive.
Would be, but the leads on 2042 and studio leadership say nah, because apparently leadership is committed to continuing to hamstring this game and drive away the community. That or things remain such a monumental internal disaster of a dumpster fire that they can't be confident that any early communications will be remotely accurate and have to wait until builds are locked and submitted for certification before saying much.
This ain't a ding on CM's, this is a ding on the continued apparently poor leadership within DICE, at least from a player's PoV. Literally nothing has appeared to change for DICE leadership, it's the same thing that happened with BFV all over again - launch an unfinished game and then basically fight with the community every step of the way as the game slowly improves.
I was optimistic that Vince would save the game somehow and radically change how DICE operated and what priorities were, but I'm increasingly of the opinion that not even Vince can save DICE from themselves.
I ain't knocking your in-the-trenches devs either (even if I'll often strongly disagree with their opinions, like map designer guy thinking that the launch maps were good to begin with...I love you map guy, you're a fellow Falck main, but there's no defending most of the launch maps, there were just terrible) since they have no control over this and are likely all busting their butts while seeing players flame their hard work daily.
What 100's of people?
I'd be shocked if more than a handful of people are still "working" on this.
