‘Battlefield 2042’ Release Date and Game’s Early Access Schedule
Battlefield 2042 is now available to download, but only for a limited number of players, following an agonising delay from its original release date.
Fans have been waiting months for EA’s latest military shooter, which was announced on June 9. Unlike the annualised Call of Duty games, we aren’t guaranteed a Battlefield instalment every year (the last one came out in 2018), so when we do get one, it feels like a big deal.
This year’s entry promises to shake things up significantly by translating the series’ action into a near future setting, introducing extreme weather that can alter the dynamic of online matches, and abandoning the concept of a single player campaign entirely.
Here’s a rundown of everything you need to know about the convoluted release schedule.
When Will ‘Battlefield 2042’ Be Released?
Battlefield 2042 is technically not available until Friday, November 19, as that is when the standard edition of the game will be released.
However, EA has recently begun implementing staggered release dates for its most popular titles, with various early access periods available to those who pre-order games or sign up for relevant subscriptions. This was also true for FIFA 22, which was released in September or October depending on how you obtained it.
An early access trial for Battlefield 2042 is now available for EA Play members. Because EA Play is integrated with Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, this also applies to those who have those subscriptions. If you redeem this trial, you will be able to play Battlefield 2042 for 10 hours before the game’s official release date.
If you were concerned about losing your progress, rest assured that it will be carried over from the early access period to the full launch on November 19.
Meanwhile, gamers who subscribe to EA Play’s more expensive “Pro” tier, as well as those who pre-ordered the Gold and Ultimate Editions of Battlefield 2042, will have full access to the game starting today (Friday, November 12).
To summarise, these are the different ways to play Battlefield 2042.
| Release Date | Accessible Via | Other Notes |
| 12 November | EA Play Membership (or Xbox Game Pass) | This is a 10-hour trial period. Once it is over, you will then have to wait for the standard release to play more. |
| 12 November | EA Play Pro Membership | Full release |
| 12 November | Gold and Ultimate Edition Pre-Order | Full release |
| 19 November | Standard Edition | Full release |
In place of an offline storey mode, Battlefield 2042 offers three different types of multiplayer experiences. “All-Out Warfare” offers the classic Battlefield scenarios we’ve all come to know and love, with epic battles (of up to 128 players) taking place on the ground, in the air, and at sea.
The “Battlefield Portal” is essentially a sandbox mode in which you can make your own rules and create bizarre match ups that would otherwise be impossible (for instance, you could have Apache helicopters taking part in famous WW2 conflicts).
Finally, there’s “Hazard Zone,” a more tactical mode in which you join a squad of four and must retrieve intel scattered across the map while defeating enemy players and evading an advancing storm. It’s essentially a variation on the traditional battle royale mode seen in games like Call of Duty: Warzone and Fortnite.
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