EA has unveiled the first official glimpse of the upcoming Battlefield game, accompanied by details on player testing and the game's development structure. This sneak peek into the pre-alpha phase of Battlefield gameplay was shared through a video that introduced what EA refers to as "Battlefield Labs," along with a call for playtesters to join the development process.
Simultaneously, EA introduced "Battlefield Studios," an overarching brand encompassing the four studios tasked with developing the new Battlefield. These include the main series developer DICE in Stockholm, Sweden, Motive, known for the Dead Space remake and Star Wars: Squadrons, Ripple Effect (formerly DICE LA) in the U.S., and Criterion in the UK, which has recently concluded its work on Need For Speed.DICE is focusing on crafting the multiplayer aspect of the new game, while Motive is dedicated to developing both single-player missions and multiplayer maps. Ripple Effect is working to attract new players to the Battlefield franchise, and Criterion is responsible for the single-player campaign. This new Battlefield installment marks the return of a traditional single-player linear campaign, a feature absent since 2021's multiplayer-focused Battlefield 2042.
EA has stated that the development teams at Battlefield Studios are entering a crucial phase, emphasizing the need for player feedback to refine and prioritize elements before the game's release. Through "Battlefield Labs," EA aims to test various game components, although not everything shown will be final. Participants in these tests will be required to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA).
"This is an unprecedented moment for Battlefield," EA stated. The initial testing will focus on core gameplay elements like combat and destruction, progressing to balance and feedback for weapons, vehicles, and gadgets. These elements will be integrated into maps, modes, and squad play. Classic modes like Conquest and Breakthrough will be tested, alongside exploring new ideas and refining key aspects such as the class system (Assault, Engineer, Support, and Recon) to enhance strategic gameplay.
The first round of playtesting will be limited to a few thousand participants, with servers in Europe and North America. EA plans to expand this to tens of thousands of participants across more territories in the future. It's important to note that despite the substantial resources dedicated to this project, EA recently closed Ridgeline Games, which was developing a separate single-player Battlefield game.
In September, EA shared more details and the first concept art for the new Battlefield game. IGN confirmed that the game will return to a modern setting, following previous entries set in World War I, World War II, and the near future. The concept art hinted at ship-to-ship and helicopter combat, as well as the inclusion of natural disasters like wildfires.
Vince Zampella, Head of Respawn & Group GM for EA Studios Organization, spoke to IGN about the game's direction, emphasizing a return to the core essence of the series seen in Battlefield 3 and 4. "I mean, if you look back to the peak or the pinnacle of Battlefield, it's that Battlefield 3... Battlefield 4 era where everything was modern," he said. He expressed a desire to reconnect with the core Battlefield community and expand the franchise to offer more diverse experiences within the Battlefield universe.
The new Battlefield aims to correct the course set by Battlefield 2042, which, despite eventually finding its footing, was criticized for its Specialist system and large 128-player maps. The next game will revert to 64-player maps and eliminate the Specialist system.
With significant pressure on the new Battlefield to succeed following the missteps of 2042, EA CEO Andrew Wilson has described it as one of the "most ambitious projects in [EA's] history." The "Battlefield Studios" tagline, "We're all in on Battlefield," underscores EA's substantial investment in the franchise.
"Yeah, it's definitely betting bigger on Battlefield," Zampella told IGN. "It's going in and expanding what Battlefield is. We have to have the core. The core Battlefield players know what they want. They've been with us forever, they've been amazing supporters. We need to earn their trust back and get them back on our side. And then it's expanding out and getting more players into the universe and seeing what we can do, so when you want a different experience, you don't have to leave Battlefield. You can experience more things within the Battlefield universe. So we're expanding the offerings that we're giving."
EA has yet to announce a release date, launch platforms, or a final title for the new Battlefield.
