Battlefield 2042 is beginning a new, larger era in the franchise, and its being heralded with an open beta. An unprecedented 128 players are supported in Battlefield 2024on PC, Xbox Series X/S, and PlayStation 5. It's been nearly three years since Battlefield V, the series' previous entry, and fans will likely be eager to return to the trademark sandbox combat of Battlefield. The first opportunity will be an open beta period where players will have a chance to try out the game before launch, most likely on a smaller selection of maps.
Battlefield 2042's beta will take place in September, though no exact dates have been revealed. The beta will give players a taste of the game in its nearly finished state, since 2042 is launching on October 22. The scope of the beta will likely be quite limited compared to the full game. Battlefield V's open beta only featured two maps - Rotterdam and Narvik - with a different game mode for each. If the upcoming beta is similar, then it will likely only feature a couple of 2042's seven confirmed launch maps.
The open beta will probably only feature one or two game modes as well. Players may only get to experience the All-Out Warfare modes, Breakthrough, and Conquest. Battlefield V's beta let players experience Grand Operations, an evolution of Battlefield 1's Operations game mode, but it's unclear whether or not brand new modes like Battlefield 2042's Battlefield Portal will be included in the beta in any form.
As an open beta, there is no actual signup, but a free game client will be downloadable from various storefronts. Once the beta goes live, the PlayStation Store, Microsoft Store, and Origin will have the Battlefield 2042 open beta available. There is, however, a way to secure early access to the Battlefield 2042 open beta: pre-ordering. Pre-ordering any version of the game - Standard, Gold, or Ultimate Editions - grants early access in September. In addition to early beta access, the Gold and Ultimate Editions allow early access to Battlefield 2042 before its full release on October 22.
Ripple Effect, DICE, and EA have been slowly releasing info for 2042 since it was announced. The mysterious Hazard Zone game mode has yet to be fully revealed, so that and exact dates for the beta can be expected in the coming weeks. Those looking to get in on the action early can do so for free when the open beta begins, but a pre-order of Battlefield 2042 will ensure even more time to get acquainted with the game before launch.
