Summary
- Battlefield 2042's new limited-time event, Dark Protocol, introduces a 12v12 Killswitch game mode and new cosmetic bundles and rewards.
- The game has been making a redemption comeback since its disappointing launch in 2021, with new seasons, maps, and improvements.
- The upcoming event aims to capitalize on the increased player engagement, with a new mode that involves controlling a structure and using AI bots to overwhelm the enemy team.
EA's multiplayer FPS Battlefield 2042 has announced a new limited time event called Dark Protocol which adds a new 12v12 Killswitch game mode as well as new cosmetic bundles and rewards. Battlefield 2042 is currently in its sixth season, titled Dark Creations, which added a new map named Redacted, along with new weapons and gadgets.
Battlefield 2042 has been on a redemption journey of sorts since its disappointing 2021 launch. Nearly two years later developer DICE has been active with adding new themed seasons which have brought new maps, modes, weapons, and more to the game. Sentiment surrounding the struggling multiplayer shooter has taken a more positive turn in recent months with the replacement of the specialist system in favor of the franchise's beloved class-based system and the reworking of nearly all the game's launch maps to the satisfaction of the player base. Most recently, Battlefield 2042 hosted a free weekend where it saw engagement surge, breaking its own record of concurrent players.
With Battlefield 2042 now finding itself in a much more favorable position, it may be able to capitalize on the massive uptick of new players with its new limited time event. Battlefield 2042 took to Twitter to announce Dark Protocol, which will run from October 31 to November 14. Headlining the event is a new 12v12 mode called Killswitch, which will see players do battle over control of the Forge, a structure that spawns hoards of creepy synthetic bots called Geists which will fight at the side of the team that's able to gain momentary control of the Forge. Players will be able to use these waves of AI Geists to overwhelm and distract the enemy team, freeing up windows to capture the objectives.
Killswitch's map rotation includes Hourglass, Manifest, Spearhead, and Battlefield 2042's newest map Redacted. In the post, DICE added that the mode makes use of some of the smallest choke points in the game and encouraged players to utilize the game's many defensive gadgets. As with Battlefield 2042's past events the rewards are split into two weeks. During week one players can earn ribbons to unlock a weapon charm, a vehicle skin and the Yellowcake Epic Specialist set for the Sundance operator. Once week two begins a new set of rewards will become available: a player card tag and the False Dichotomy and Swift Trust weapon skins. Dark Protocol also brings two new bundles to the Battlefield 2042 store, each containing a Legendary Specialist set, three weapon skins, and more.
Currently, DICE has neither teased nor confirmed a Season 7 for Battlefield 2042. The future of the game is up in the air at this point, especially with several other Battlefield projects underway at EA. As Dark Protocol begins on Halloween it'll be interesting to see if Battlefield 2042 will be able to maintain its playercount surge and finally complete its redemption two years after its poor initial launch.
Battlefield 2042 is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.
Source: EA