EA has unveiled the first official glimpse of the new Battlefield game through an announcement focused on player testing and the game's development structure. This brief look at pre-alpha gameplay comes as part of a video introducing what EA refers to as Battlefield Labs, along with a call for playtesters to join in the development process.
Simultaneously, EA introduced Battlefield Studios, an overarching brand for the four studios involved in creating the new Battlefield. These include DICE in Stockholm, Sweden, the primary developer for the series; 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 shifted focus from Need For Speed to this new project.
DICE is tasked with developing the multiplayer component, while Motive works on both single-player missions and multiplayer maps. Ripple Effect focuses on attracting new players to the franchise, and Criterion is dedicated to crafting the single-player campaign. This new Battlefield game marks a return to a traditional single-player linear campaign, a departure from the multiplayer-only approach seen in 2021's Battlefield 2042.
EA emphasized that the Battlefield Studios teams are entering a critical phase of the development cycle, seeking player feedback to prioritize, improve, and refine elements before the game's release. Through Battlefield Labs, EA plans to test nearly every aspect of the game, though not everything shown will be final. Participants will need to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) to take part.
Battlefield Labs is designed to engage playtesters in the development of the new Battlefield. Concept art courtesy of Electronic Arts.
EA expressed pride in the game's current state, even at the pre-alpha stage, and highlighted the importance of player feedback to enhance development. The testing will begin with core gameplay elements like combat and destruction, progressing to weapon, vehicle, and gadget balance, and ultimately integrating these into maps, modes, and squad play. Key modes like Conquest and Breakthrough will be tested, alongside exploring new ideas and refining the class system (Assault, Engineer, Support, and Recon) for deeper, more strategic gameplay.
Initially, invitations to participate in Battlefield Labs will be limited to a few thousand players, with servers in Europe and North America. EA plans to expand this to tens of thousands more participants and additional territories over time. This commitment comes despite last year's closure of Ridgeline Games, which was working on a standalone single-player Battlefield game.
In September, EA shared more details and the first concept art for the untitled Battlefield game, confirming its return to a modern setting after previous entries 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, referenced the peak of the series with Battlefield 3 and 4, noting the importance of returning to the core elements that define the franchise. He emphasized nostalgia and the need to regain the trust of longtime fans while expanding the game's universe to offer new experiences within Battlefield.
The next Battlefield aims to correct the course after Battlefield 2042, which faced criticism for its Specialists and 128-player maps but eventually found its footing by reducing to 64 players per map. The upcoming game will maintain this approach and exclude Specialists. With EA CEO Andrew Wilson describing it as one of the most ambitious projects in EA's history, and the significant involvement of multiple studios, the pressure is on to deliver a successful title. The Battlefield Studios tagline, "We’re all in on Battlefield," underscores EA's commitment to the franchise.
Vince Zampella reiterated EA's focus on expanding what Battlefield can offer, aiming to keep players engaged within the Battlefield universe without needing to seek other games. EA has yet to announce a release date, launch platforms, or a final title for the new Battlefield game.
