EA Unveils Battlefield Labs: First Official Gameplay Revealed

EA has given fans their first official glimpse of the new Battlefield game through a video that also introduced Battlefield Labs and a call for playtesters. This brief pre-alpha footage showcases what players can expect from the upcoming title.

The announcement also introduced Battlefield Studios, an umbrella branding encompassing four studios working on the game. These include DICE in Stockholm, Sweden, focusing on multiplayer; Motive, known for the Dead Space remake and Star Wars: Squadrons, handling single-player missions and multiplayer maps; Ripple Effect (formerly DICE LA) in the U.S., tasked with bringing new players into the franchise; and Criterion in the UK, now working on the single-player campaign after finishing with Need For Speed.

The new Battlefield marks a return to a traditional single-player linear campaign, a departure from 2021's multiplayer-only Battlefield 2042. EA emphasized that the development teams are entering a "critical" phase and are eager for player feedback to refine and prioritize features before the game's release. Participants in Battlefield Labs will need to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA).

Battlefield Labs is set up to engage playtesters for the new Battlefield. "Even in pre-alpha, we are proud of where the game is at," EA stated. "We tirelessly playtest, but your feedback will supercharge our development as we strive to hit that perfect note between form, function, and feel."

The testing will initially focus on core gameplay elements such as combat and destruction, progressing to weapon, vehicle, and gadget balance. EA plans to test iconic modes like Conquest and Breakthrough, while also exploring new ideas and refining the class system to enhance strategic play.

Initial testing will be limited to a few thousand participants in Europe and North America, with plans to expand to tens of thousands more across additional regions. It's noteworthy that while EA is heavily investing in this project, it closed Ridgeline Games last year, a studio that was developing a standalone single-player Battlefield game.

In September, EA shared further details and the first concept art, confirming the game's return to a modern setting. The art suggested features like ship-to-ship and helicopter combat, as well as natural disasters like wildfires. Vince Zampella, Head of Respawn & Group GM for EA Studios Organization, highlighted the importance of revisiting the peak era of Battlefield 3 and 4, emphasizing a return to the series' core elements.

The new game aims to correct course after Battlefield 2042, which struggled with its 128-player maps and the controversial Specialist system. The upcoming title will stick to 64-player maps and abandon the Specialists approach. With significant investment and four studios involved, EA CEO Andrew Wilson has described it as one of the company's most ambitious projects. Zampella stressed the importance of regaining the trust of core fans while expanding the game's universe to offer varied experiences within Battlefield.

As of now, EA has not disclosed the release date, launch platforms, or the final title for the new Battlefield game.