Battlefield 2042 will be making the series' second attempt at adopting a live service model. Although the game will not be free-to-play, it will consistently be updated with seasonal content, including new maps and Specialists. The series' first foray into live service development resulted in the disappointment of Battlefield V, which suffered from a lack of content before its early sunset. So far, 2042 looks poised to deliver a decent amount of content, especially with its Battlefield Portal mode, but there is potential for the game to suffer from a bloated file size.
So far there is no indication that Battlefield 2042 will require an incredibly large install file. The game is multiplayer only, with seven new maps, and six more from classic Battlefield games. The problem is, as a live service game, 2042 will (presumably) continue to receive content as long as the developers feel the player base is large enough to warrant it. Seasonal content and the expected abundance of cosmetics will certainly play a role, but 2042 has three primary game modes, all of which will contribute to the game's file size.
Battlefield Portal's future is still up in the air, with developer Ripple Effect adamant that community feedback will play a large role in what comes next to the ambitious custom games mode. Although it hasn't been explicitly confirmed, it seems likely that more classic Battlefield games and content could make its way to Portal. Having essentially a second, possibly more robust, content set for Battlefield Portal's classic remasters might quickly inflate 2042's storage requirements.
How Battlefield 2042 Can Keep Its File Size Small
The most practical approach to Battlefield 2042 managing its file size might be to allow players to choose what content they would like to have installed. Some games have allowed players to delete the single player campaign, for instance, while still making multiplayer accessible. Although 2042 has no campaign, it might still be possible for the game to be segmented.
Battlefield 2042's three primary game modes are: All-Out Warfare, where players engage in classic Battlefield combat in Conquest and Breakthrough modes; the teased and unrevealed (but leaked) Escape From Tarkov-like Hazard Zone; and Battlefield Portal, where players can create and play custom matches. Presumably these three modes will use a lot of the same assets, but Portal especially will have unique game files that won't be utilized by the other two. Battlefield 2042's solution to a potential file size dilemma may be to make Portal an optional download. While it looks incredibly fun with deep customization tools, there is bound to be a subset of the player base thoroughly uninterested with having it take up hard drive or SSD space.