After more than a decade since its launch, one of the more unconventional entries in the Battlefield franchise is set to bid farewell. Battlefield Hardline, released in 2015 and developed by the now-defunct Visceral Games with assistance from DICE and EA, will see its digital availability cease on May 22 for Xbox and PlayStation platforms. Following this, online multiplayer support will conclude on June 22. However, players on Steam and the EA app will still have access to the game, including its single-player campaign, which remains playable offline.
Hardline distinguished itself from traditional Battlefield titles by focusing on the dynamic between law enforcement and criminals, rather than large-scale military confrontations. This unique premise, coupled with its “cops and robbers” theme, set it apart from its counterparts in the franchise. The announcement of its impending shutdown comes shortly after Battlefield Studios celebrated the game’s 11th anniversary on social media, reflecting on its high-speed pursuits and memorable moments.
In an official statement regarding the discontinuation of online services, EA expressed the challenges involved in making such decisions. The company acknowledged the dedication of its development teams and operational staff, stating, “As games are replaced with newer titles, the number of players still enjoying the games that have been live for some time dwindles to a level—typically fewer than 1% of all peak online players across all EA titles—where it’s no longer feasible to continue the behind-the-scenes work involved with keeping the online services for these games up and running.”
Current player statistics suggest that interest in Battlefield Hardline’s multiplayer has significantly waned, with SteamDB reporting a mere 10 concurrent players at present and a peak of only 34 in the last 24 hours. Despite these numbers, the game’s distinctive gameplay and creative asymmetric multiplayer modes have left a lasting impression on those who engaged with it.
🗨️ What do you think about Battlefield Hardline?
Battlefield Hardline may have flown under the radar for many, often eliciting mixed reactions due to its departure from the conventional Battlefield formula. Nevertheless, EA’s attempt to innovate with this unique spinoff is commendable, and the conclusion of multiplayer support on Xbox and PlayStation is indeed a bittersweet moment for fans.
We invite you to share your thoughts: Did you play Battlefield Hardline? Were you a fan? Let us know in the comments and participate in our poll.
Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.
This overlooked Battlefield game is shutting down after 11 years, but only on Xbox and PlayStation consoles — the Steam PC version will live on, to my surprise
After more than a decade since its launch, one of the more unconventional entries in the Battlefield franchise is set to bid farewell. Battlefield Hardline, released in 2015 and developed by the now-defunct Visceral Games with assistance from DICE and EA, will see its digital availability cease on May 22 for Xbox and PlayStation platforms. Following this, online multiplayer support will conclude on June 22. However, players on Steam and the EA app will still have access to the game, including its single-player campaign, which remains playable offline.
Hardline distinguished itself from traditional Battlefield titles by focusing on the dynamic between law enforcement and criminals, rather than large-scale military confrontations. This unique premise, coupled with its “cops and robbers” theme, set it apart from its counterparts in the franchise. The announcement of its impending shutdown comes shortly after Battlefield Studios celebrated the game’s 11th anniversary on social media, reflecting on its high-speed pursuits and memorable moments.
In an official statement regarding the discontinuation of online services, EA expressed the challenges involved in making such decisions. The company acknowledged the dedication of its development teams and operational staff, stating, “As games are replaced with newer titles, the number of players still enjoying the games that have been live for some time dwindles to a level—typically fewer than 1% of all peak online players across all EA titles—where it’s no longer feasible to continue the behind-the-scenes work involved with keeping the online services for these games up and running.”
Current player statistics suggest that interest in Battlefield Hardline’s multiplayer has significantly waned, with SteamDB reporting a mere 10 concurrent players at present and a peak of only 34 in the last 24 hours. Despite these numbers, the game’s distinctive gameplay and creative asymmetric multiplayer modes have left a lasting impression on those who engaged with it.
🗨️ What do you think about Battlefield Hardline?
Battlefield Hardline may have flown under the radar for many, often eliciting mixed reactions due to its departure from the conventional Battlefield formula. Nevertheless, EA’s attempt to innovate with this unique spinoff is commendable, and the conclusion of multiplayer support on Xbox and PlayStation is indeed a bittersweet moment for fans.
We invite you to share your thoughts: Did you play Battlefield Hardline? Were you a fan? Let us know in the comments and participate in our poll.
Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.