"Battlefield 1" is different from the games that have been released this year. While the majority of shooting games feature sci-fi or futuristic themes, this one took the unusual route by choosing to use World War I as its setting.
EA Dice may have already featured the World War II era in "Battlefield 1942 and modern-day war was used as the background for Battlefield 2, 3 and 4. For "Battlefield 1," rather than going forward and adapt a more modern theme, the newest game sequel will revisit the past and go back to an even earlier time, during the World War I era. Now, the question is, why EA Dice chose to create a game set in the older times instead of the future?
For his response, design director Lars Gustavsson told GameSpot during the 2016 Gamescom, "It's an era we've been wanting to explore for a while. We've all learned about World War II, Vietnam, and the Cold War. But World War I often goes unnoticed, despite how huge it was."
He added that it may be an older period but using it as a setting for a game feels new. The director pointed out that "Battlefield 1" will have its educational side as well, since players will learn bits and pieces as they revisit the past through the game.
Gustavsson said that their research prior to developing the game was extensive, so most of the things they included in the design are precise. He and his team looked into everything they could get a hold of about World War I and this resulted to the accuracy of most items in the game.
The extent of the team's research is evident in the weapons and mode of transportation used in "Battlefield 1." Old types of war weaponry like a bayonet, water-cooled machine guns and mustard gas are in the game, plus soldiers use horses to travel.
Meanwhile, as announced on "Battlefield 1" website, the open beta of the game will be available for Xbox One, PC and PS4 starting Aug. 31. Gamers can try the gameplay while waiting for its official launch on Oct. 21.
