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

EA Unveils Battlefield Labs and Battlefield Studios for Next-Gen Battlefield Game

EA has offered the first official peek at its upcoming Battlefield title, alongside details regarding player testing and its multifaceted development structure. A short pre-alpha gameplay clip was showcased as part of a video announcing Battlefield Labs, a player testing initiative.

Simultaneously, EA introduced Battlefield Studios, a collective of four studios collaborating on the new Battlefield game. This includes DICE (Stockholm, Sweden), Motive (Dead Space and Star Wars: Squadrons), Ripple Effect (formerly DICE LA), and Criterion (formerly working on Need for Speed).

Responsibilities are divided as follows: DICE handles multiplayer development; Motive contributes to single-player missions and multiplayer maps; Ripple Effect focuses on attracting new players; and Criterion leads 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 emphasized that Battlefield Studios is entering a critical development phase and seeks player feedback to prioritize improvements before release. Battlefield Labs will test various aspects of the game, although not all elements will be fully realized. Participants will be required to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA).

Initial testing will involve a few thousand players in Europe and North America, with plans to expand to tens of thousands more and additional regions later.

It's noteworthy that while EA is dedicating four studios to this project, they previously closed Ridgeline Games, a studio working on a standalone single-player Battlefield title.

September saw the release of concept art and details confirming a return to a modern setting after previous installments 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 natural disasters like wildfires.

Vince Zampella, Head of Respawn and Group GM for EA Studios Organization, cited Battlefield 3 and 4 as inspirations, aiming to recapture the core essence of the series.

The shift to a modern setting addresses criticisms of Battlefield 2042, which initially faced negative reception due to features like Specialists and large-scale maps. The new Battlefield will revert to 64-player maps and eliminate Specialists.

The next Battlefield faces high expectations after the shortcomings of 2042. EA CEO Andrew Wilson described it as one of EA's most ambitious projects, reflecting the significant investment. The Battlefield Studios tagline, “We’re all in on Battlefield,” underscores this commitment. Zampella reiterated the goal of re-earning player trust while expanding the Battlefield universe to attract a broader audience.

EA has yet to announce a release date, platforms, or the official title for the new Battlefield.