“The Battlefield sandbox has always been about playing the way you want.”
According to Battlefield V’s developer, the studio is prioritizing player choice, inclusion, and diversity for the upcoming game, but the highest priority is fun.
DICE General Manager Oskar Gabrielson shared his thoughts on the reactions to the game’s recent reveal on Twitter, saying “player choice and female playable characters are here to stay.”
After the reveal of Battlefield V, a vocal minority spoke out in protest of the game’s cover art, which features a woman soldier. Some said the game’s depiction of women WWII soldiers was “unrealistic,” even though the inclusion of women fighting in WWII is one of the most realistic things Battlefield does.
“We want Battlefield V to represent all those who were a part of the greatest drama in human history,” Gabrielson said, “and give players choice to choose and customize the characters they play with.”
Gabrielson went on to say the studio has made a commitment “to do everything we can to create games that are inclusive and diverse,” aiming also to “push boundaries and deliver unexpected experiences. But above all, our games must be fun!”
Battlefield V’s executive producer Aleksander Grøndal also previously stated DICE would “always put fun over [being] authentic.“
“The Battlefield sandbox has always been about playing the way you want,” Gabrielson continued, “like attempting to fit three players on a galloping horse, with flamethrowers. With [Battlefield V] you also get the chance to play as who you want. This is #EveryonesBattlefield.”
Battlefield V is coming to PC, PS4, and Xbox One October 19, and the game will not have a Premium Pass, with Dice opting to make major post-release content free instead.
Brian Barnett thinks the soldier on the cover of Battlefield V looks like a browncoat from Firefly, which is extremely cool. You can follow him on Twitter @Ribnax.