The introduction of AI soldiers into 2042 was one of the best things DICE did. It makes TOTAL sense, now support is ending, to open up all game modes so they can start with one real player. Once a game is up and running, others real players are bound to end up joining to fill the game out.
Honestly, at this point, over 3 years from launch, does it really matter how anyone progresses their specialists, weapons, gadgets or vehicles? Just open the game up and let us play any mode at any time. This would be the best farewell gift DICE could give (other than allow full XP and progression in Portal - then we'd see that mode being used!!)
I don't see where it would hurt them to reduce the number of players to start a match.
Please EA/DICE make this happen!
