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Battlefield 2042 Season 1: Zero Hour - A Retrospective

Last Updated: October 31, 2025

Battlefield 2042 Season 1 Zero Hour key art featuring Specialist Lis on the Exposure map.

Following a turbulent launch in late 2021, the first major wave of post-launch content for *Battlefield 2042* marked a critical moment for the game. After a significant delay, publisher EA and developer DICE finally launched the game's inaugural season, "Season 1: Zero Hour," on June 9, 2022. This update provided the first concrete details of the game's live-service roadmap, delivering a new map, Specialist, weapons, and vehicles in a long-awaited content drop for players.

After months of community feedback and developer updates addressing the game's rocky launch, players could finally experience the start of *Battlefield 2042*'s live-service journey in June 2022. Season 1: Zero Hour was a much-needed injection of fresh content, representing the first major milestone in DICE's commitment to supporting and evolving the modern shooter. The launch of Zero Hour was a pivotal moment, serving as a benchmark for the quality and cadence of future updates and the first step on the long road to rebuilding player trust.

Season 1: Zero Hour Content Breakdown

Instead of the multi-phase structure that some had speculated on prior to launch, DICE delivered Season 1 as a single, substantial content package centered around a clear theme. The season's narrative focused on a battle for control over a critical resource in the Canadian Rockies. Here's what was included:

  • New Map: Exposure: Set in the Canadian Rockies, this map became an instant fan favorite. It featured extreme verticality, with players fighting both inside a secret research facility built into a mountainside and across the surrounding cliffs and forests. The map's design offered a mix of tight infantry combat indoors and classic large-scale vehicle warfare outdoors.
  • New Specialist: Ewelina Lis: A new Engineer-class Specialist, Lis joined the No-Pats with a unique gadget: the G-84 TGM (Player-Guided Missile). This allowed her to manually pilot rockets to take down enemy air and ground vehicles. Her passive ability, Armor Hunter, automatically highlighted damaged enemy vehicles on her HUD.
  • New Weapons: Two new weapons were added to the arsenal. The Ghostmaker R10, a high-tech crossbow, offered a stealthy option with multiple bolt types. The BSV-M was a versatile DMR that excelled at mid-range, featuring an integrated suppressor and multiple firing modes.
  • New Vehicles: The skies saw the addition of two new stealth gunships. The RAH-68 Huron and the YG-99 Hannibal gave pilots powerful new tools, complete with stealth modes and versatile weapon loadouts.

Free Reinforcements and the Battle Pass

A core part of the Season 1 strategy was ensuring the community remained unified. DICE confirmed that all major gameplay content—the Exposure map, Specialist Ewelina Lis, and the new weapons and vehicles—was available for free to all players through the new 100-tier Battle Pass. Players could unlock these items simply by earning XP and progressing through the free tiers. The Battle Pass also included a Premium track, which offered cosmetic items like skins, player cards, and weapon charms for those who chose to purchase it. This model ensured that the player base would not be fractured by paid map packs, a common practice in previous franchise entries.

The Legacy of Season 1

Season 1: Zero Hour was more than just a content drop; it was a statement of intent from DICE. It established a clear framework for future seasonal updates and demonstrated a renewed commitment to the game's growth following its difficult launch. The positive reception to the Exposure map and the new content provided a much-needed morale boost for the community. Zero Hour marked the beginning of *Battlefield 2042*'s redemption arc, setting a precedent for the subsequent seasons that would continue to refine the gameplay, reintroduce concepts like the Class system, and add a steady stream of maps, weapons, and quality-of-life improvements that have significantly improved the game since its release.