Although it seems World War II games are a dime a dozen these days, Battlefield: 1942 is far from a formulaic first-person shooter. It's primarily a multiplayer-focused team game; all of the game's missions can be played solo against the computer AI, but there is no traditional plot or single-player storyline to speak of.
In all, 16 maps are being planned for the game's release, set across four WWII "theaters" -- Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Pacific, and Operation Torch in North Africa. Says Balthaser, "each one of these theaters has 4 battles, each simulating some of the major battles of that area. For example, in the Pacific, we've got Guadalcanal, Wake, Iwo Jima and Midway".