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Battlefield 2042: The Truth About the Campaign & Collectibles

Last Updated: November 10, 2025

Battlefield 2042 characters on a war-torn map.

When Battlefield 2042 was first revealed, after years of community speculation about "Battlefield 6," excitement for the next era of all-out warfare was at a fever pitch. As players dove into the game's massive multiplayer sandbox, a question quickly emerged from franchise veterans: Where is the single-player campaign? And with it, where are the hidden collectibles, like the dog tags and easter eggs, that defined previous story modes?

The answer marks a significant shift in the series' direction. Here’s the definitive truth about the Battlefield 2042 campaign and the search for collectibles.

The Campaign That Wasn't: A Multiplayer-First Vision

Unlike many of its celebrated predecessors, Battlefield 2042 launched without a traditional, narrative-driven single-player campaign. Developer DICE made a deliberate choice to pivot the franchise, focusing all its resources on creating an expansive, live-service multiplayer experience. The goal was to perfect the "All-Out Warfare" suite, introduce the then-new class-hybrid Specialists, and build dynamic, large-scale maps.

The developers' stated intent was to weave the game's narrative—the story of a world on the brink of war fought by stateless soldiers known as "No-Pats"—directly into the multiplayer. This lore was delivered through the backstories of the Specialists, seasonal events, and in-game cinematics that progressed the world state over the game's multi-year lifespan. This meant players would never find a linear story mode to play through or classic missions that traditionally housed hidden items.

No Campaign, No Collectibles: The Impact on Trophies and Rewards

With the complete absence of a single-player campaign, the concept of finding campaign-specific collectibles simply does not apply to Battlefield 2042. Rumors or hopes for finding items like hidden dog tags or unique easter egg toys within a story mission are unfounded.

Consequently, there are no achievements or trophies tied to locating these types of items. The game's entire achievement list is built around its multiplayer modes. Players aiming for full completion must instead focus on mastering objectives in Conquest and Breakthrough, achieving specific weapon milestones, effectively utilizing Specialist abilities, and completing challenges across all game modes, including the community-driven Battlefield Portal.

How Progression and Customization Work Instead

While the classic collectible hunt is gone, Battlefield 2042 provides a robust progression system built entirely around its multiplayer ecosystem. Players have numerous avenues to unlock cosmetic items and track their progress:

  • Specialist Customization: As players level up and complete challenges, they unlock new Specialists and a vast array of cosmetics for them, including unique outfits and headgear. These are earned through gameplay, the seasonal Battle Pass, and the in-game store.
  • Weapon and Vehicle Mastery: Using any weapon or vehicle earns experience, unlocking a full suite of attachments and cosmetic skins. Achieving the highest mastery tiers for gear grants exclusive badges and rare cosmetics to show off your dedication.
  • Player Progression & Battle Pass: A comprehensive player level system tracks overall progress. Each season introduced a new Battle Pass with free and premium reward tiers, offering exclusive Specialist skins, weapon charms, vehicle decals, and player card backgrounds.
  • Weekly Missions: Throughout its active seasons, the game featured regular weekly missions that rewarded players with Battle Pass experience points and unique cosmetic items, encouraging consistent play.

A Look Back: Why Players Expected Collectibles

The community's expectation for a campaign and collectibles was well-founded given the franchise's rich history. Many past Battlefield titles featured memorable single-player experiences that rewarded exploration.

  • Battlefield 1: Its "War Stories" anthology presented poignant, self-contained narratives from WWI. Finding all the Field Manuals in each story unlocked unique weapon skins and enriched the historical context.
  • Battlefield V: Following a similar "War Stories" format, this entry had players searching for hidden letters, providing deeper insight into the characters and conflicts of WWII.
  • Battlefield 4: This modern-day title featured a traditional, globe-trotting campaign where finding hidden dog tags and weapons in each level was crucial for unlocking certain multiplayer gear and achievements.

These examples highlight why the community anticipated a similar experience in Battlefield 2042, making its multiplayer-only focus a significant departure.

An Uncertain Future for Battlefield Single-Player

For a time, it seemed EA and DICE were poised to bring back the single-player campaign. In 2022, a new studio, Ridgeline Games, was established under the leadership of Halo co-creator Marcus Lehto with the explicit mission of creating a new narrative campaign set in the Battlefield universe. This move was celebrated by fans who missed the story-driven experiences of past titles.

However, that hope was short-lived. In a major corporate restructuring in February 2024, EA announced widespread layoffs and the complete shutdown of Ridgeline Games. While it was stated that other studios like Criterion Games would absorb some of the single-player development, the closure of the dedicated narrative studio has cast serious doubt on the future of traditional campaigns in the franchise. For now, the next chapter of Battlefield's story remains unwritten.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Battlefield 2042 have a single-player campaign?
No, Battlefield 2042 is a multiplayer-only game. It does not have a traditional, offline single-player story campaign. Narrative elements are told through its seasonal multiplayer content.

Can I find collectibles like dog tags in Battlefield 2042 for trophies?
No. Since there is no campaign, there are no campaign-specific collectibles to find. All achievements and trophies in the game are earned by completing objectives and milestones in its multiplayer modes.

What kind of rewards can I earn in Battlefield 2042?
Players can earn a wide variety of cosmetic rewards, including Specialist outfits, weapon and vehicle skins, weapon charms, and player card customization options. These are unlocked through player progression, the Battle Pass, mastery challenges, and in-game missions.

Will future Battlefield games have a campaign?
The future of single-player Battlefield campaigns is uncertain. EA had formed a dedicated studio, Ridgeline Games, to create a new narrative experience, but that studio was shut down in early 2024. While other teams are said to be working on narrative elements, the closure makes the return of a traditional, large-scale campaign in the next game less likely.