Battlefield Lab: Showcases First Official Gameplay

EA Unveils Battlefield Labs and Battlefield Studios for Upcoming Title

EA has offered the first official glimpse into its next Battlefield game, alongside details about its player testing program, Battlefield Labs, and the newly formed Battlefield Studios.

A short pre-alpha gameplay video accompanies the announcement, showcasing early development footage. The video also introduces Battlefield Studios, a collaborative effort uniting four EA studios: DICE (Stockholm), Motive, Ripple Effect (formerly DICE LA), and Criterion.

Each studio contributes specific expertise: DICE handles multiplayer development; Motive focuses on single-player missions and multiplayer maps; Ripple Effect aims to attract new players; and Criterion is responsible for the single-player campaign. This marks a return to a traditional linear single-player campaign, a departure from the multiplayer-only Battlefield 2042.

Battlefield Labs is a crucial part of the development process, seeking player feedback to refine core gameplay elements. Participants will test various aspects, from core combat and destruction to weapons, vehicles, gadgets, maps, modes, and squad play. Conquest and Breakthrough modes will also be tested. Participation requires signing a non-disclosure agreement (NDA). Initial testing will be limited to a few thousand players in Europe and North America, expanding later to tens of thousands more globally.

EA acknowledges the importance of player feedback, stating that it aims to achieve the perfect balance of form, function, and feel. The studio also plans to refine core Battlefield elements like the class system (Assault, Engineer, Support, and Recon) to enhance strategic gameplay.

The new Battlefield will return to a modern setting, a shift from the futuristic setting of Battlefield 2042. Concept art previously released hints at ship-to-ship and helicopter combat, alongside natural disaster elements like wildfires. This return to a modern setting reflects a desire to recapture the essence of earlier titles like Battlefield 3 and 4, aiming to regain the trust of longtime fans while expanding the franchise's appeal. The game will feature 64 players per map, abandoning the 128-player maps and Specialist system of Battlefield 2042.

EA has yet to announce a release date, platforms, or a final title for the new Battlefield. However, the significant investment and involvement of multiple studios highlight the high stakes and ambition behind this project.