Battlefield 1 is a first-person shooter video game developed by EA DICE and released by EA. It is an entry in the Battlefield franchise and was made available on Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One on October 21, 2016.
Setting and design
Battlefield 1 places combatants in the era of World War I, drawing on weapons, vehicles, and locations associated with that conflict. The developers aimed to capture the atmosphere of the period while adapting gameplay systems from earlier series entries to fit the historical theme.
Gameplay
The game emphasizes teamwork and large-scale battles typical of the series. Players can employ period-appropriate firearms, melee weapons, and a variety of vehicles—such as biplanes, armored cars, tanks, and mounted cavalry—to gain tactical advantages. DICE reworked close-quarters combat mechanics and introduced several new armaments and gadgets to reflect the technology of the 1910s.
Single-player campaign
The single-player component is organized into short, self-contained narratives often referred to as War Stories. Each story follows a different protagonist or group, offering distinct perspectives and mission goals rather than a single continuous protagonist. According to Daniel Berlin, a designer on the project, the campaign features more open areas and provides players with greater choice within mission encounters than some prior series installments.
Multiplayer
Multiplayer matches support up to 64 players in large maps inspired by real-world World War I locations. A modernized squad system allows friends to join and leave matches together and coordinate objectives. At launch, the multiplayer suite included nine maps and six core game modes, with additional content released later through updates and expansions.
Release and platform notes
Upon release on October 21, 2016, Battlefield 1 was available across current-generation consoles and PC, with post-launch patches and downloadable content expanding maps, modes, and features over time.