Is Battlefield 2042 Free on PS4? The Complete Guide

Hey friend! If you‘re wondering whether you can play Battlefield 2042 for free on your PlayStation 4, I‘ve got you covered. In this complete guide, we‘ll dig into all the details around free access periods, the differences between the PS4 and PS5 versions, tips for getting started, and plenty more.

So let‘s get right to the most important question:

Is Battlefield 2042 Free to Play on PS4?

The short answer is: Yes, but only temporarily during special promotional events.

EA and DICE have held a few free access periods since launch, allowing PS4 owners to download and play the full Battlefield 2042 experience at no cost for a limited time.

The most recent Battlefield 2042 free event was from March 9-13, 2022. There was also one from June 9-11 right before Season 1 began.

Based on these past promotions, it‘s safe to say there will likely be more free trial weekends or weeks in the future as DICE looks to bring players back to Battlefield 2042.

So keep an eye out here on the PlayStation Blog and Battlefield social channels for announcements of upcoming free events. They normally provide 1-2 weeks notice before each free period starts.

But outside of these special events, Battlefield 2042 is not permanently free-to-play on PS4. You‘ll need to purchase a copy to keep playing once the free period ends.

Now let‘s dig a little deeper into what you can expect during these Battlefield 2042 free access events on PS4.

What‘s Included in the Free PS4 Trial Periods

When Battlefield 2042 is free on PlayStation 4, you get access to the full multiplayer experience:

• All Maps & Modes – Play any of Battlefield 2042‘s multiplayer maps and modes
• All Specialists – Choose from all 10 Specialists, each with unique skills and traits
• Full Progression – Level up your classes, weapons, battle pass and more
• Cross-Play – Play against people on PS5, Xbox and PC

So you can level up your soldiers, weapons and battle pass, unlock new gear, and experience Battlefield 2042‘s signature large-scale maps and modes during the free periods.

Your full multiplayer progress will carry over if you decide to purchase the game later on. Pretty cool!

And because PS4 has cross-play with all platforms, you‘ll join massive lobbies with up to 64 players on PS4 and 128 players on PS5/Xbox/PC.

So don‘t worry about empty matches during the free event. There will be plenty of players to squad up with.

Can You Pre-Load Before the Free Periods?

For some of Battlefield 2042‘s free access events, EA has allowed players to pre-load the game a few days before the event starts.

This lets you install the large game file ahead of time, that way you can jump straight into playing the moment the free period goes live.

Pre-loading isn‘t always available, but it‘s worth keeping an eye out for if you want to maximize your limited free time with the game. I‘d suggest following Battlefield on Twitter since they often announce when pre-loading is available.

Even if pre-loading isn‘t offered, I‘d recommend starting your Battlefield 2042 download as early as possible once the free event starts.

It‘s a massive 95GB file, so give yourself ample time to install before the free period ends! Nothing worse than running out of time before you can finish downloading.

What About After the Free Period Ends?

Now for the bad news friend. Once a Battlefield 2042 free event concludes, your access to the game also ends. It does not remain free permanently on PS4.

If you want to keep playing Battlefield 2042 after a free period, you‘ll need to purchase a copy. Here are the current pricing options:

• Standard Edition – $59.99 USD (frequently discounted)
• Gold Edition – $89.99 USD (includes Year 1 Pass)
• Ultimate Edition – $109.99 USD (includes 4 Battle Passes + Year 1 Pass)

The good news is any progress you made during the free event will carry over if you do decide to buy. Pretty sweet!

And you may occasionally find special upgrade offers that give you a discount on the full game after trying the free version, so keep an eye out.

But unless you purchase a copy, Battlefield 2042 will stop working on your PS4 once the next free period finishes up. No more full time access.

I know, I know…that‘s a major bummer! I get it.

Will Battlefield 2042 Ever Be Free Permanently on PS4?

This is the big question many PS4 owners have been asking since launch:

Will Battlefield 2042 eventually just become free-to-play on all platforms?

Some other major shooters like Call of Duty Warzone have gone down the free-to-play route. And EA actually made Star Wars Battlefront 2 permanently free a while back.

So it seems reasonable that Battlefield 2042 could follow a similar path, opening up the multiplayer experience for free indefinitely as a way to attract more players.

Unfortunately, EA has repeatedly stated that they have no plans to make Battlefield 2042 free-to-play anytime soon.

Here‘s what EA CEO Andrew Wilson said when asked directly about it on an investor earnings call earlier this year:

"We have no plans to make Battlefield 2042 or any future Battlefield game free-to-play at this time or in the foreseeable future. There are no changes planned regarding 2042‘s pricing model."

So unless something dramatic changes internally at EA, it seems Battlefield 2042 will remain a paid title across all platforms, with just occasional free trial periods for promotion.

I know that‘s probably not the answer you were hoping for! But don‘t lose hope, there‘s still plenty of fun to be had on PS4…

PS4 vs. PS5 Version – Key Differences

If you tried Battlefield 2042 during a free weekend on PS4, you might be wondering what advantages the PS5 version offers. Here‘s a quick rundown:

As you can see, the PS5 version delivers a big boost in resolution, framerate, graphics, player count and loading speeds thanks to the advanced hardware. It‘s the definitive way to play Battlefield 2042.

That said, the PS4 version still looks relatively crisp at 1080p resolution. And the framerate is solid if playing on a PS4 Pro. Plus you get all the same maps, modes, weapons and Specialists.

So while PS5 is better optimized, you can still get your Battlefield fix on PS4, especially during the free periods!

Is Battlefield 2042 Worth Buying on PS4 in 2024?

Given the advantages of PS5, is Battlefield 2042 still worth buying on PS4 at this point? Let‘s debate the pros and cons:

Potential Pros:

• Cheaper than upgrading to PS5
• Can still enjoy large maps and battles
• Cross-play with friends on other systems
• Continuing improvements to the game
• Already familiar with gameplay from free trial

Potential Cons:

• Max of 64 players feels limited
• Visuals and performance downgraded
• Slower load times can be painful
• Could feel outdated sooner than PS5 version
• More bugs/crashes than PS5 version

Overall, I think Battlefield 2042 on PS4 is still decently fun if you go in with reasonable expectations around the visuals and performance.

The ability to play with buddies on PS5 or Xbox via cross-play is really nice. And the core chaotic battlefield gameplay is still there.

But there‘s no denying PS5 is the definitive way to experience Battlefield 2042. My advice would be to try the PS4 version during a free event first before deciding whether to buy.

And if you have the ability to upgrade to PS5 in the next year, I‘d maybe wait and get the full next-gen experience! But if PS4 is your only choice, you can still get plenty of enjoyment out of Battlefield 2042.

Tips to Conquer the Battlefield on PS4

If you do choose to buy Battlefield 2042 on PS4, here are some tips I‘ve picked up that will help you thrive on the battlefield:

• Adjust your controller settings – Take time to tweak the sticks and triggers to your preferences
• Play objectives – Focus on capturing points rather than just chasing kills
• Spot enemies constantly – Tap R1 whenever you see opponents to reveal their location
• Use cover wisely – Don‘t run out in open areas, instead move cover to cover
• Play as a squad – Stick with your squad for bonus XP and better coordination
• Try all the Specialists – There‘s 10, each with unique skills that can change your style
• Have fun out there – Don‘t worry about K/D, just revel in those crazy Battlefield moments

It may take a few matches to get comfortable with Battlefield 2042‘s flow, but once it clicks, you‘ll have a blast on PS4!

Still Have Questions? Check the FAQ!

Let‘s wrap up with a quick FAQ in case you still have any other questions:

Is there a single player campaign?

Nope, Battlefield 2042 is online multiplayer only. No traditional campaign exists.

Can I upgrade to the PS5 version?

Yep! You can pay for an upgrade that transfers over all your progress and unlocks.

Does my progress carry across PS4 and PS5?

It sure does! All your stats, unlocks and progress are tied to your EA account and carry across platforms.

Can PS4 play against PS5 players?

Yep, PS4 players can play against PS5 thanks to crossplay support. Pretty awesome!

How does it run on base PS4 models?

The performance takes a noticeable hit on base PS4s. Upgrading to PS4 Pro improves framerate if possible.

Can I play split-screen with a friend on PS4?

Sadly no, there is no local split-screen option. You‘ll need to play online multiplayer only.

Alright my friend, that about wraps it up! Let me know if you have any other questions. Have fun on the battlefield!