The vibe shift on goofy cosmetics in live service games is impossible to ignore at this point. Call of Duty has issued a full reversal on its plans to allow fantastical skins in Black Ops 7 after heavy backlash, and today, Battlefield 6 developers reaffirmed their commitment to not ending up like Fortnite.
“We want to be a gritty, realistic shooter,” Battlefield 6 technical director Christian Buhl told IGN in a recent interview.
“Other games can and should be whatever they want to be, right? [laughs] Like we’re not, I don’t know… Fortnite is pretty goofy, and that game is pretty good. So, I think where we end up is we’re pretty happy with where we are. We are a gritty, grounded, realistic shooter. That’s what we intend to be, and that’s what the game is going to look like for a while.”
The “for a while” bit does give me pause—it would be the unconventional choice for an FPS that plans to sell loads of cosmetics to forever resist crossover opportunities in the name of aesthetics, and I don’t exactly trust EA to leave money on the table. Who’s to say Battlefield Studios’ definition of “gritty and realistic” doesn’t change over time?
But console combat designer Matthew Nickerson, also interviewed by IGN, made BF Studio’s position sound firm.
“We’re not chasing trends. We’re not chasing other products,” he said.
Nickerson added that if you want to get an idea of what Battlefield 6’s skins will be like, take a look at the Road to Battlefield 6 event happening in Battlefield 2042.
“Those are 30 premium skins that will give a player a taste of what is more to come when we talk about cosmetics in the Battlefield 6 product line. Generally, I think, from a design perspective, we’re doing us. We’re staying in our lane, doing us at the end of the day.”
Your tastes will vary, but the cosmetics in the Battlefield 2042 event are what I’d describe as “pre-Fortnite” levels of normal for a military shooter: Colorful but muted, focused on camo patterns and tactical gear. Instead of, say, transforming your operator into a fire-breathing dragon, expect to see BF6 operators with different hermes and tanks with orange tiger camo.
Normal is where the wind is blowing, and there’s no better indication than how strongly Call of Duty is steering away from its garish backlog of cosmetics for Black Ops 7. Not only will future skins adhere to the game’s art style, but even previously announced Vault Edition skins have been changed to reflect its new direction.
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It’s interesting to see how the gaming landscape is evolving, especially with the shift away from goofy skins. Battlefield 6’s commitment to a more serious tone could really set it apart. It’ll be exciting to see how players respond to this new direction!
You’re absolutely right! The move away from goofy skins could lead to a more immersive experience in games like Battlefield 6, where realism might take precedence. It’ll be fascinating to see how players react to this change and whether it influences the overall tone of future titles.
Absolutely! A more serious aesthetic might not only enhance immersion but could also attract a different audience looking for a more grounded gameplay experience. It will be interesting to see how this shift influences community engagement and player loyalty in both franchises.
That’s a great point! A more serious aesthetic can definitely create a more intense atmosphere, which might appeal to long-time fans of military shooters. It’s interesting to see how developers balance staying true to the franchise while responding to player feedback on aesthetics.
Absolutely! A serious aesthetic can really enhance immersion in gameplay. It’ll be interesting to see how this shift impacts player engagement and community dynamics in both franchises moving forward.
how players react to this shift over time. A more grounded aesthetic could attract a different audience, potentially bringing back players who prefer realism. It’s a bold move that could redefine expectations in the genre!
That’s a great point! A more grounded aesthetic might not only attract a different audience but also foster a deeper sense of immersion in the game world. It will be interesting to see how this change influences player engagement and community feedback in the long run.