When it launches in just a few months time, Battlefield V will make several noticeable deviations from what fans have perceived as the “standard” Battlefield formula, most noticeably by ditching the Premium Pass monetization model. The game will also put a greater emphasis on character customization, and in a recent Reddit AMA, Battlefield V producer Ryan McArthur talked at length about how the new customization and company features will synergize.
As DICE has mentioned in the past, each Battlefield V player will have access to their own personal series of companies, groups of soldiers who can be customized both cosmetically and in terms of their weapon/equipment loadout. No matter what multiplayer mode they partake in, a player will always play as a member of their company and there will be different companies for each multiplayer faction. This means that, at launch, each player will have two companies available to them, one for the British forces, and one for the German.
Over time, more factions will be added to the multiplayer component, unlocking additional companies for each player. Since Battlefield V is set during WWII, it seems safe to assume that DICE plans to add in factions such as the U.S, France, Japan, and Russia amongst others.
In terms of cosmetics, McArthur stipulated that each company will have its own themed uniforms and individual outfit pieces, so, for example, a player won’t be able to dress up one of their British soldiers to look like a German. However, since players can customize each individual soldier’s face, gender, face paint, helmet, jacket, and pants type, there will still be a lot of potential for unique cosmetic loadouts despite the faction-specific restrictions.
Along with reiterating that Battlefield V also won’t have any loot boxes, McArthur also noted that the game’s equipment-leveling mechanics will be streamlined to make them feel less grindy. As an example, piloting any tank will contribute to a player’s overall tank leveling track rather than having to level up individual tank proficiencies.
In other Battlefield V news, DICE has confirmed the game will have a total of eight different multiplayer modes when it launches on October 19. Before that, though, fans will be able to participate in an open beta come September.