EA has a really great lineup of games coming this year. There’s Battlefield 1 , with a release trailer that’s one of the most popular in the history of games. Titanfall 2 is on the way as well, bringing mech action to every platform. It’s a good time to be a fan of first-person shooters. But is it too good of a time? These games will be out within three weeks of each other. Is EA crazy? Is it all too much?
Honestly, it’d be easy to assume so. These are two of EA’s biggest games for 2016. You’d think the company would want a buffer. Especially since both are first-person shooters. There’s always a chance someone was planning to double dip and grab both games, but is reconsidering now that it’d mean spending $120 on games within a month. Plus, it’s oversaturation. We’ve seen what’s happened with Overwatch and Battleborn .
But that’s a fleeting and momentary concern. While the proximity could mean people choosing “either/or,” rather than “and,” there’s enough space and distinction to allow each to flourish. It’s a deluge, to be sure, but it could still be okay.
To start, they have very different vibes. Battlefield 1 is a historical game set during World War I. It’s realistic and true to the period. There are even battles in the air. You focus on squad mechanics, working well both on your own and within a team, to win. Titanfall 2 is a futuristic science-fiction title. You have to factor in gameplay both in and out of mechs. Given the power of these suits, you may even develop an every man for himself mentality. They may belong to the same genre, but they’re very different games.
Also, the three week gap isn’t as small as you may think. Battlefield 1 will be out October 21. That means Titanfall 2 won’t be released in the same month. It’ll be available either before or after in September or November. That sort of distinction helps. It gives both games a holiday 2016 launch window, which means people may also wait to see if they get them as gifts or could buy them at a discount. People always save and get surplus cash around the holidays. That could easily be put toward both games.
It’s easy to be critical of EA’s decision. It certainly sounds like Battlefield 1 and Titanfall 2 are too close. But the games themselves are different enough and release dates given enough space to allow each one to conquer the month in which they’re released. While I think Battlefield 1 will end up being the bigger and more impressive of the two, both will find a place and audience. Only time will tell if Battlefield 1 is Overwatch and Titanfall 2 is Battleborn , or vice versa.