First Official Look at New Battlefield Gameplay as EA Reveals Battlefield Labs

EA Unveils Battlefield Labs and Battlefield Studios: A Return to Core Gameplay

EA has offered the first official glimpse into its upcoming Battlefield game, coinciding with announcements about player testing initiatives and its multifaceted development structure. A brief pre-alpha gameplay showcase accompanied the reveal of "Battlefield Labs," a program designed to gather player feedback.

Simultaneously, EA introduced "Battlefield Studios," a collective encompassing four studios collaborating on the project: DICE (Stockholm), Motive, Ripple Effect, and Criterion. Each studio has a specific role: DICE handles multiplayer development, Motive contributes to single-player missions and multiplayer maps, Ripple Effect focuses on attracting new players, and Criterion is responsible for the single-player campaign.

The new Battlefield marks a return to traditional linear single-player campaigns, a departure from the multiplayer-only approach of Battlefield 2042. EA emphasizes that Battlefield Labs is a crucial phase in development, seeking player feedback to refine core aspects of the game before launch. Participation requires signing a non-disclosure agreement (NDA).

EA highlights its commitment to thorough testing, stating that even in pre-alpha, the game shows significant promise. Battlefield Labs will initially test core gameplay elements, including combat and destruction, progressing to weapon, vehicle, and gadget balance. Conquest and Breakthrough modes will also be tested, alongside refinements to the class system.

Initial testing will involve a few thousand players in Europe and North America, expanding to tens of thousands globally over time. This ambitious undertaking follows the closure of Ridgeline Games, a studio previously working on a standalone single-player Battlefield title.

September's reveal showcased concept art hinting at ship-to-ship and helicopter combat, along with natural disaster elements. The game's return to a modern setting, referencing the popular Battlefield 3 and 4 era, aims to recapture the series' core appeal while expanding its reach to a wider audience. The developers aim to address the criticisms of Battlefield 2042, specifically the controversial Specialist system and large-scale maps. The new game will feature 64-player maps and revert to traditional classes.

The high stakes are evident, with EA CEO Andrew Wilson describing the project as one of the company's most ambitious endeavors. The "Battlefield Studios" tagline, "We're all in on Battlefield," underscores the significant investment and commitment to the franchise's revival. EA is yet to announce a release date, platforms, or the official title.