Battlefield
News, coverage and analysis tracking Battlefield across the outlets.
Latest coverage
Games Inbox: Will Naughty Dog make a new Uncharted game?
Readers discuss Naughty Dog's potential future projects, including a new Uncharted game or The Last of Us Part III, alongside speculation about upcoming console generations. Other topics include criticisms of Football Manager's engine change, Grand Theft Auto VI's lack of theme park parody, and the state of the video game industry.
Arc Raiders' executive producer explains how he 'wasn't completely prepared for how hard' a live service game would be and warns against the dangers of burnout
Embark's executive producer Aleksander Grøndal admits the studio underestimated the difficulty of developing a live service game like Arc Raiders, leading to team burnout and player dissatisfaction. He warns against prioritizing content speed over developer well-being and suggests a more sustainable, long-term approach is necessary for creating a better game.
"Ultimately, we asked 'why are we doing this?'": the creators of Arc Raiders wildly underestimated how hard it is to make a live service game
Embark Studios executive producer Aleksander Grøndal admitted the team significantly underestimated the difficulty of creating a live service game for Arc Raiders, leading to team burnout and unsustainable update schedules. The studio has since shifted to larger, biannual content drops to improve quality and team well-being, drawing on lessons learned from Grøndal's past experiences with burnout at Electronic Arts.
ARC Raiders Stopped Monthly Updates to Avoid Developer Burnout, Says Executive Producer
Embark Studios has stopped monthly updates for its live-service shooter ARC Raiders due to developer burnout. Executive producer Aleksander Grøndal stated that the team was overshooting capacity and that a change in workflow is necessary to improve quality and ensure long-term sustainability. Grøndal also shared a personal experience with burnout at Electronic Arts.
I've already had a ton of fun with Wardogs - in a tough year for competitive shooters, it's a jolt of electricity that's brought a genre gasping back to life
Wardogs, an early access competitive shooter from Bulkhead and Team17, offers a refreshing take on the genre by integrating a unique cash mechanic that incentivizes various player actions beyond direct combat. While this system creates a fascinating critique of late capitalism and can lead to players prioritizing profit over victory, the game successfully blends elements from Battlefield, ArmA, and Counter-Strike, providing engaging gameplay with responsive controls and atmospheric maps. Despite a potential flaw where avoiding combat is the most rewarding strategy, the game is already a jolt of electricity for the genre.
Wardogs devs celebrate 3 million sales but warn that "hype won't last forever"
Developer Bulkhead announced that its shooter Wardogs has sold over three million copies since launching into early access on September 10, 2026. While celebrating the success, the studio acknowledged that the current hype may not last forever and expressed a commitment to addressing player feedback and developing future content like Season 2. The article also notes the game's current unplayability on Linux-based handheld gaming PCs.
WARDOGS Sells 3 Million Units, Bulkhead Celebrates Even if “This Hype Won’t Last Forever”
Bulkhead Studios' WARDOGS has sold over three million units in just over two weeks since its early access launch. The first-person shooter and military simulation game features a sandbox approach with player-driven progression and base-building. The studio is preparing for Season 2 on October 15th, which will introduce rainy weather mechanics.
The social interactions in Wardogs are truly something special
Wardogs stands out among shooters for fostering positive social interactions through its emphasis on proximity chat and long, engaging rounds. The game's design encourages teamwork and allows players to fulfill various niche roles, leading to more meaningful connections and friendships than typically found in the genre.
Xbox's consolidation plans might mean you get a new Halo sooner, but history shows production line development makes for boring games
Xbox's strategy of consolidating studios and pushing for more frequent releases, exemplified by the Activision Blizzard acquisition and changes to the Halo team, risks creating a future of formulaic and uninspired games. The author argues that while such consolidation might seem efficient, history shows that annual releases and a focus on existing franchises often stifle creativity and lead to a homogenization of game design, potentially resulting in a less exciting gaming landscape.
What are we all playing this weekend?
Several individuals share their gaming plans for the weekend, ranging from playing new releases like Roman Sands and Control: Resonant to continuing with titles such as Crusader Kings 3 and Wardogs. Some are revisiting older games like Ogre Battle, while others are taking breaks or engaging in non-gaming activities.
Wardogs feels like Call of Duty without the pressure to kill or be killed – as long as you're making phat…
Wardogs is a multiplayer FPS that blends traditional combat with mercenary simulation, allowing players to earn money through various roles beyond just combat. While the core gunplay is satisfying, the game suffers from issues like a harsh early-game experience, wonky vehicle controls, and a lack of Linux support. Despite these drawbacks, its unique approach to gameplay and the potential for diverse roles make it an engaging early access title.
EA’s New Owners May Be Considering An Even Bigger Gaming Empire
Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) has become the majority shareholder of Electronic Arts and is reportedly considering merging it with Savvy Games Group, another PIF-owned entity. This potential consolidation, which could also involve Moonton, Scopely, and SNK, aims to improve coordination among the PIF's gaming assets. However, the move faces regulatory scrutiny due to the vast number of major franchises that would fall under one umbrella, and employees fear significant cost-cutting measures, including layoffs and studio closures, may be implemented.
Saudi Arabia investors are considering merging EA with Savvy Games
Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund is reportedly considering merging Electronic Arts with Savvy Games, following its recent acquisition of EA. This potential merger is unlikely to proceed until Savvy Games completes its $6 billion acquisition of Moonton. If realized, the merger would bring together titles like Battlefield, Pokemon Go, and Apex Legends under a single entity.
Potential EA and Savvy Merger Would Create Gaming Giant
Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) is reportedly exploring a merger between Electronic Arts and Savvy Games Group to create a major player in the global gaming industry. The potential deal aims to consolidate PIF's investments and improve coordination, though no final decision has been made and regulatory hurdles are anticipated. This move would combine EA's console and PC presence with Savvy's mobile gaming operations and could serve as a vehicle for future acquisitions.
Battlefield challenger Wardogs rebalances progression for launch, and you'll "need to grind" to get the "big-ticket items"
Wardogs, a new multiplayer FPS aiming to compete with Battlefield, has rebalanced its progression system for its full launch. Developer Bulkhead has increased the experience required for early levels and for unlocking high-tier items, indicating players will need to "grind" significantly. The game launches into early access on September 10, 2026, for PC via Steam with an initial price of $39.99.
Evening Reading - September 7, 2026
This edition of Shacknews Evening Reading covers various gaming news and internet topics. It includes discussions on upcoming Nintendo Direct expectations for The Legend of Zelda's 40th anniversary, Borderlands 4, Final Fantasy Resonance, Grand Theft Auto 6, and Battlefield. The article also touches on Tesla's Cybercab probe, Bungie's office sublease exploration, and the development of The Witcher 4, alongside lighter internet content like AI image concerns and Dark Souls challenges.
How to Make Weapons, Hits and Explosions Sound More Realistic in Games
This guide explains how to create realistic weapon, hit, and explosion sounds in video games by layering multiple recordings and focusing on timing and variation. It emphasizes that acoustic accuracy is a raw material, not a final destination, and that well-designed sounds significantly enhance player perception of graphics and overall immersion.
47 video game things that spark joy
This article compiles a list of small, often overlooked moments in video games that bring players joy, ranging from humorous bugs and satisfying combat mechanics to clever design choices and nostalgic elements. Contributors share personal anecdotes about specific instances that enhance their gaming experience, highlighting the unique pleasures the medium can offer.
ShackStream: Return to Wake Island in Battlefield 6
Battlefield 6 is reintroducing the iconic Wake Island map, which first appeared nearly two decades ago. The new version retains the familiar horseshoe shape and combat flow, aiming to enhance the classic experience. The article also mentions a list of BF6 map release dates and encourages viewer support for Shacknews' streams.
"As more people play games, even the tiniest niches find a bigger audience" – Why Matt Webster is convinced people want Star Wars: Galactic Racer
Matt Webster, co-founder of Fuse Games, discusses the upcoming release of Star Wars: Galactic Racer, a title he believes can carve out a niche in the current market despite the general decline of racing games. The studio, formed by former Criterion developers, is innovating by incorporating roguelike elements and consequential decision-making, inspired by games like Hades and Slay the Spire, to enhance replayability. Webster also touches on the challenges of independent development, the importance of nurturing young talent, and the industry's aversion to risk.
