"Battlefield 3: Unreleased Campaign Missions Revealed by Designer"

Summary

• Two missions were originally cut from Battlefield 3's campaign, focusing on Hawkins' capture and escape.
• Battlefield 3's campaign was criticized for lack of narrative cohesion and emotional engagement.
• Fans hope future Battlefield titles will focus on engaging, story-driven content alongside multiplayer.

David Goldfarb, a former designer of Battlefield 3, has revealed that two missions were cut from the game's single-player campaign before its release. Launched in 2011, Battlefield 3 is widely regarded as one of the best entries in the Battlefield franchise, celebrated for its action-packed campaign and explosive multiplayer experience.

The game received extensive praise from both players and critics, particularly for its visually stunning graphics, large-scale multiplayer battles, and the innovative Frostbite 2 engine. However, while the multiplayer mode was a resounding success, the campaign received mixed reviews. It followed a linear narrative that took players on a globe-trotting journey through military conflict, yet many felt it lacked strong narrative cohesion and emotional engagement.

David Goldfarb, a former DICE developer, recently shared on Twitter that the campaign for Battlefield 3 was initially more expansive. He disclosed that two missions centered around Hawkins, a playable character known for her role as a jet pilot in the mission "Going Hunting," were cut. These missions would have depicted Hawkins being shot down, captured, and then focusing on her escape before reuniting with Dima. These additional missions could have made Hawkins a standout character in the Battlefield series.

Battlefield 3 Cut Two Campaign Missions

The revelation about the cut missions has sparked renewed interest in Battlefield 3's single-player component, which many consider to be the game's weakest aspect, especially when compared to its highly popular multiplayer modes. Critics often noted that the campaign relied too heavily on scripted set pieces and lacked variety in mission structures. The inclusion of these cut missions, with their emphasis on survival and character development, could have provided a more grounded and dynamic experience, potentially addressing one of the game's major criticisms.

This news has prompted fans to reflect on Battlefield 3 and speculate about the future of the franchise. The discussion around cut content and single-player campaigns has reignited conversations about the importance of narrative in upcoming titles, particularly in light of Battlefield 2042's controversial decision to omit a campaign. Fans are hopeful that future installments will prioritize engaging, story-driven content that complements the series' iconic multiplayer experience.