Even If Battlefield 6 is More Grounded, One Wacky 2042…

The next entry in the Battlefield series is inching closer to its full reveal. Four years after the release of the franchise's last entry, 2021’s Battlefield 2042, Battlefield is set to make its triumphant return sometime within the next few months. After the last entry had a notably disappointing launch loaded with issues, EA has brought together a multitude of its internal development studios to help craft the next Battlefield game, which hopes to be the best entry in the franchise.

More than anything, the next title in the Battlefield series should be a very polished entry, and one loaded with content that will keep players wanting to return for years to come. With that in mind, the next game could look to Battlefield 2042's mistakes and do everything in its power to bounce back and improve on what that game got wrong. And while the next Battlefield game may take on more of a grounded approach, there's a great opportunity for EA to improve on one of 2042's late-life events with a much more fitting crossover in the next game.

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By Emma Neeson

Battlefield 6 Has A Chance To Right One Of 2042’s Wrongs

Battlefield 6 Could Improve On 2042’s Maligned Dead Space Crossover

Even if the next Battlefield game takes on a more grounded approach than before, it could improve upon one of Battlefield 2042’s more controversial collaborations this time around. Namely, EA could create a brand-new Dead Space collaboration with something much more fulfilling than what was offered in the last Battlefield title. Previously, Battlefield 2042 had a crossover with Dead Space in July 2024, but it was harshly criticized by fans for a multitude of reasons.

In one breath, the collaboration came just months after reports that a follow-up to the 2023 Dead Space remake had been shelved (which EA denies); thus, a Battlefield collaboration late in that game’s life felt like twisting the knife further in the backs of the fans. What's more, this collaboration barely felt faithful to the Dead Space series at all, as it did not even feature any of the franchise’s actual enemies, the Necromorphs. It was this integration of Dead Space into Battlefield 2042 that further led to calls for the next Battlefield game to be more grounded, and it drew the ire of Dead Space fans for being a mismatched collaboration.

Another Battlefield-Dead Space Collaboration Could Actually Include Necromorphs

While it shouldn't be the most important part of the next Battlefield game’s development, EA has a chance to right its wrongs with another Dead Space collaboration of some kind in the next title. It doesn't need to be a priority at launch – making the game as polished and content-packed as possible should be the biggest priority – but the Outbreak mode could be something that EA tries again later in the game's life. Perhaps this time, the publisher could properly include the Necromorph enemies in the mode, instead of merely adding generic zombies.

A new Dead Space collab could even offer players the opportunity to explore Dead Space’s USG Ishimura spacecraft this time around, instead of merely placing players on Earth. Offering up one of the settings from the game would serve as a much more faithful tribute to Dead Space, and would be much more gratifying to players than 2042's event. This integration could also add in more Dead Space weapons and cosmetics based on various titles in the series, and could largely pull from the 2023 remake considering its recency.

EA has a chance to right its wrongs with another Dead Space collaboration in Battlefield 6.

The Dead Space Remake Dev Is Handling The Next Battlefield Campaign

If EA does not want to commit to another full-blown Dead Space crossover in the next Battlefield game, it could very well include some Easter eggs in the game at various portions. After all, the developer of the Dead Space remake, Motive Studio, will be handling the single-player component of the next Battlefield game. The developer could give a tribute to its previous title in the form of an Easter egg during the single-player campaign, just as it very well could do with the upcoming Iron Man game that it is developing.

The next Battlefield game has a lot to live up to and make up for from the previous title, and if EA chooses to continue doing crossover events, there's a great opportunity to improve upon the previous Dead Space collaboration. Considering where the event went wrong in 2042, EA has the chance to offer much more faithful content befitting the Dead Space franchise’s legacy that should be more gratifying to fans of both franchises. It doesn’t have to be at the top of EA’s priority list, but if the publisher takes another swing at it, here’s hoping it respects both Battlefield and Dead Space fans a lot more in the next entry.