The Battlefield community, particularly regarding the latest installment, Battlefield 2042 (formerly Battlefield 6), is experiencing a wave of controversy and discontent over the XP Booster system. Many players have expressed their frustration on platforms like Reddit and gaming forums, deeming the current system unfair and a waste of their valuable time.
The crux of the problem: a counter that won't stop
The main problem is that the experience multiplier timer starts running immediately upon activation and continues to run even when the player is on the game's main menus, searching for a match (matchmaking), or even on loading screens. This means that a significant portion of the multiplier's duration, which could be a full hour for example, is wasted without the player gaining any additional experience points in actual gameplay, completely contradicting the purpose of these multipliers.
Historical background: A decline in series standards
The Battlefield series, developed by DICE and published by Electronic Arts, is one of the most established first-person shooter franchises. Throughout its history, the series has relied on an engaging progression system that rewards players for their time and effort by unlocking new weapons and equipment. In earlier installments like Battlefield 4 and Battlefield 1, the experience multiplier system was more equitable, with the timer only running while the player was in an active match. This logical design ensured players fully utilized every second of the multiplier, making the change in Battlefield 2042 a shock and a disappointment for veteran players accustomed to a higher standard of respecting player time.
Impact on gameplay experience and community
The impact of this flawed system extends far beyond simply wasting a few minutes. It creates a sense of pressure and frustration, as players find themselves racing against the clock to navigate the menus and find a match before the multiplier expires. This is particularly acute in regions with low player numbers, resulting in longer waiting times and consequently, increased losses in the multiplier. In the long run, such design flaws can negatively affect players' willingness to continue playing, potentially driving them to competing games that offer a smoother and fairer experience.
Community demands and temporary solutions
In response to this situation, some players resorted to a trick of only activating the multiplier in the final moments of a match to maximize its benefits. However, this remains a temporary and impractical solution, as the exact end of a match is difficult to predict. Therefore, voices within the player community are increasingly calling on DICE developers to release an urgent update that restores the multiplier mechanism to its previous state, where time is only counted during matches. Many believe this simple adjustment would be a significant step towards improving the gameplay experience and rebuilding trust between the developers and the series' loyal player base.
