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Battlefield 2042: Unlocks, Story, and the Missing Single-Player

Last Updated: November 10, 2025

Battlefield 2042 No-Pats fighting in a war-torn landscape.

For years, the Battlefield franchise followed a familiar formula: a blockbuster multiplayer suite accompanied by a cinematic single-player campaign. These campaigns were more than just tutorials; they were narrative-driven experiences that offered exclusive rewards—weapon unlocks, dog tags, and unique skins—for dedicated players to show off in multiplayer. Many fans expected this tradition to continue with the release of *Battlefield 2042*.

However, developer DICE took a bold new direction, shifting the focus entirely to the multiplayer experience and forgoing a traditional campaign.

A Break from Tradition: Why There Is No Campaign

In a significant departure from series predecessors like *Battlefield 3*, *Battlefield 4*, and *Battlefield 1*, *Battlefield 2042* was launched as a purely multiplayer title. The decision was made to focus development resources on three core online experiences: the large-scale All-Out Warfare (Conquest and Breakthrough), the community-driven creative suite of Battlefield Portal, and the high-stakes squad mode, Hazard Zone (which has since ceased development).

This meant that the classic "scavenger hunt" for collectibles, such as the 30 dog tags rumored in speculative pre-release articles, never materialized. Rewards like the "Megalodon" Player Card Icon or the "Tombstone Enlisted" Background, which were famously unlocked in *Battlefield 4*'s campaign, have no equivalent in *Battlefield 2042*. The expectation of earning free soldier skins and a campaign-completion achievement was replaced by a new live-service model for progression and cosmetics.

Narrative in a Multiplayer World: The Story of the No-Pats

While a playable campaign is absent, *Battlefield 2042* still has a story. The game is set in a near-future world ravaged by climate change and geopolitical collapse, leading to the rise of Non-Patriated soldiers, or "No-Pats," who fight for the remaining superpowers, the US and Russia.

This narrative unfolds outside of a traditional mission structure. DICE has used a variety of media to build the game's lore, including:

  • Seasonal Cutscenes: Each new season of content kicks off with a cinematic that advances the global conflict and introduces new Specialists and battlefields.
  • Specialist Biographies: Every playable Specialist has a detailed backstory that ties into the larger narrative, explaining their motivations and allegiances.
  • Official Short Films: Prior to launch, EA released a standalone short film titled "Exodus" that established the game's world and key characters, giving players a dramatic introduction to the No-Pat conflict.
  • In-Game Events & Map Descriptions: Limited-time events and the written lore for each map provide further context on how the war is progressing and why certain locations are strategically important.

While this approach doesn't offer the focused experience of a campaign, it allows the game's story to evolve over time in alignment with its live-service model.

How to Earn Rewards and Cosmetics in Battlefield 2042

With no campaign collectibles, the path to unlocking new gear and cosmetics in *Battlefield 2042* is rooted entirely in its multiplayer and progression systems. Here’s how you can customize your experience:

  • Battle Pass: The primary source for new cosmetics. Each season features a Battle Pass with 100 tiers of free and premium rewards, including Specialist skins, weapon and vehicle camos, player card elements, and new weapons.
  • Weekly Missions: Completing a set of weekly missions grants a significant amount of XP, accelerating your progression through the Battle Pass tiers.
  • Mastery System: This is the closest modern equivalent to achievement-based unlocks. By achieving high kill counts and completing specific objectives with weapons, vehicles, or Specialists, you can unlock unique skins (like the coveted T1 red and black mastery skins) and player card tags that showcase your dedication and skill.
  • Player Progression: Simply playing the game levels up your account, unlocking new weapons, gadgets, and vehicles for use in battle. Weapon attachments are unlocked by securing kills with that specific firearm.
  • In-Game Store: A rotating selection of cosmetic bundles is available for direct purchase using Battlefield Coins, the game's premium currency.

The Future of Single-Player Battlefield: A New Hope

The community's desire for a return to single-player stories did not go unheard. Recognizing the demand, Electronic Arts announced the formation of a new studio, Ridgeline Games, led by Halo co-creator Marcus Lehto. This studio's primary mission is to create all-new narrative experiences set within the Battlefield universe.

While *Battlefield 2042* will remain a multiplayer-centric title, this strategic move confirms that single-player campaigns are a major part of the franchise's future. The lessons learned from *2042* have reshaped EA's approach, signaling a return to the comprehensive package of both single-player and multiplayer content that fans have long enjoyed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does Battlefield 2042 have a single-player campaign?

A: No, *Battlefield 2042* was designed as a multiplayer-only game and does not feature a traditional, playable single-player story campaign.

Q: Can I unlock any rewards for multiplayer by playing a campaign?

A: Since there is no campaign, there are no campaign-specific unlocks. All rewards, including skins, weapons, and player card items, are earned through multiplayer progression systems like the Battle Pass, weekly missions, and mastery challenges.

Q: How does Battlefield 2042 tell its story?

A: The game's narrative is told through its live-service model, including seasonal cinematic cutscenes, official short films, Specialist biographies, and in-game events that build upon the lore of its near-future world.

Q: Will future Battlefield games have a campaign?

A: Yes. EA has established Ridgeline Games, a new development studio dedicated to crafting narrative and single-player campaigns for the Battlefield franchise, indicating that story modes will be a key feature of future titles.