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Battlefield’s Bad Company spin-offs were among the last times I fully engaged with a Battlefield game. Despite this, EA continues to prioritize the mainline Battlefield series over niche titles due to their commercial viability.
In a discussion with David Goldfarb, lead designer of Bad Company 2, he expressed that while the team would like to revisit the franchise, many members have moved on to different projects, including at Embark, the studio behind Arc Raiders. He noted that reuniting the original team seems unlikely, but a different team could potentially create a new installment.
For this to happen, Battlefield Studios—which includes DICE, Ripple Effect, Criterion, and Motive—along with EA, would need to take substantial risks, which is not typical for the publisher. Goldfarb mentioned that if they decide to create another Bad Company game, they would be targeting a smaller audience since humor is subjective. He highlighted that while Bad Company 1 struggled commercially, Bad Company 2 performed well but didn’t meet the sales of Battlefield 3.
Goldfarb believes Vince Zampella could successfully bring the franchise back, expressing confidence in his capabilities and acknowledging Zampella’s fondness for Bad Company. He would be interested to see how such a project would unfold, especially given the success of Battlefield 6.
Interestingly, Goldfarb and Zampella were once rivals during their time at Battlefield and Call of Duty, respectively. The first Bad Company was delayed due to Modern Warfare’s success, developed under Zampella’s leadership at Infinity Ward.
Now, Zampella oversees Respawn and Ripple Effect, and EA has put him in charge of Battlefield, placing Goldfarb’s former competitor in a position to potentially revive Bad Company.
While Goldfarb hopes for a return to the spin-off, he acknowledges the challenges involved. He noted the need for individuals willing to stake their reputation on a project that explores a beloved but nostalgic franchise, emphasizing the current market’s risks.
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