Battlefield 2042 is gearing for a new update, and it is only a few days away for PS5 and Xbox players. Battlefield 2042 Season 7 shifts the action to desert plains inspired by the franchise’s past, but there’s one map in particular that is getting a new lease of life. Prepare to get the squad back together and head into Stadium – a rework of the huge map Hourglass.
In a forthcoming update set to drop on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, Battlefield 2042, EA DICE plans to usher players into its smaller version of the war-torn desert map. Stadium reduces the action to Hourglass’ arena section of the map, a popular spot for explosive interior battles. EA DICE notes that “this highly requested location from the community has been significantly reworked and adapted for intense, infantry-only close-quarter battles.”
We’re looking forward to seeing how Stadium plays, given that EA DICE has truly the turned the once-struggling FPS game around through subsequent updates. These days, it’s actually one of the best multiplayer games around if you’re looking for large-scale skirmishes that only Battlefield can deliver. Hourglass is a solid map in its own right, offering long-range gunfights across dunes, while other areas take the fight into skyscrapers and onto bullet riddled rooftops.
Although, as Hourglass is a gigantic map, you can expect plenty of running around if you’re left without a vehicle. Whether you’re booting into Stadium or familiar maps like Kaleidoscope, you can also do this with three new Battlefield 2042 guns joining 2042’s roster:
- AK 5C: This assault rifle offers an excellent balance of firepower and accuracy, making it the perfect partner for close-quarters combat
- SCZ-3: This deadly submachine gun is a devastating option for close-quarters combat that stings, especially when equipped with a drum magazine to give you even more time before your next reload
- DFR Strife LMG: Get the best of both worlds. Equip the DFR Strife with belt-fed ammo, giving you an LMG’s magazine size and suppressive quality, while retaining the mobility of an Assault Rifle
You’ll be taking these in Haven too, a brand-new map specifically for Season 7 update. Inspired by the franchise’s history, EA DICE explains that Haven “is the return of urban warfare […] this map has been inspired by great favorites from Battlefield’s long history, including Arica Harbor (Bad Company 2), Strike At Karkand (Battlefield 2), and Amiens (Battlefield 1).”
If you’ve been thinking of giving Battlefield 2042 another shot, then this update comes at a perfect time. From Thursday, March 21, 2024, until Sunday, March 24, 2024, you can download and play the game for free on Xbox and PS5. Thanks to Battlefield 2042 crossplay, you can team up with your friends too, regardless of what platform they prefer to do battle on.
Elsewhere in gaming news, check out our chat with Embark Studios about The Finals Season 2’s meta-defining weapons, and a fresh look at Den of Wolves – a Call of Duty Black Ops style heist FPS from former Payday devs.