EA has unveiled the first official glimpse of the upcoming Battlefield game, highlighting its development progress and inviting players to participate in testing through Battlefield Labs. This brief pre-alpha gameplay reveal comes as part of a broader announcement about the game's development and player involvement.
EA introduced Battlefield Studios, a collective of four studios working on the new title: DICE in Stockholm, Sweden, focusing on multiplayer; Motive, responsible for single-player missions and multiplayer maps; Ripple Effect, aimed at attracting new players to the franchise; and Criterion, tasked with developing the single-player campaign. This marks the return of a traditional linear single-player campaign, a feature absent from the multiplayer-only Battlefield 2042 released in 2021.
The development teams are entering a crucial phase and are eager to gather player feedback to refine the game before its release. Through Battlefield Labs, EA will test various aspects of the game, though not all elements will be fully developed. Participants in these tests will need to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA).
Battlefield Labs aims to involve playtesters in shaping the new Battlefield game. Concept art credit: Electronic Arts.
EA expressed pride in the game's current pre-alpha state and emphasized the importance of player feedback in enhancing the game's core elements such as combat and destruction. The testing will cover foundational gameplay, weapon and vehicle balance, and the integration of these elements into maps, modes, and squad play. Key modes like Conquest and Breakthrough will be tested, alongside new ideas and refinements to the class system to enhance strategic gameplay.
Initial testing will be limited to a few thousand participants in Europe and North America, with plans to expand to tens of thousands across more territories. This comes after EA's decision last year to close Ridgeline Games, which was working on a standalone single-player Battlefield game.
In September, EA shared additional details and concept art for the untitled game, confirming a return to a modern setting. The concept art hinted at ship-to-ship and helicopter combat, as well as natural disasters like wildfires. Vince Zampella, Head of Respawn & Group GM for EA Studios Organization, drew parallels to the peak periods of Battlefield 3 and 4, emphasizing a return to the essence of the series.
The shift back to a modern setting is a response to the mixed reception of Battlefield 2042, which introduced controversial elements like Specialists and large 128-player maps. The upcoming game will revert to 64-player maps and eliminate Specialists, aiming to recapture the core appeal of the franchise.
With significant resources and multiple studios dedicated to this project, EA's CEO Andrew Wilson has described it as one of the company's most ambitious endeavors. The goal is to not only regain the trust of long-time fans but also to expand the Battlefield universe to offer diverse experiences within the game.
As of now, EA has not disclosed a release date, launch platforms, or the official title for the new Battlefield game.
