EA Unveils Battlefield Labs, Offers First Gameplay Glimpse

EA Unveils Battlefield Labs and Battlefield Studios: A Return to Form?

EA has offered the first official peek at its upcoming Battlefield title, coinciding with announcements regarding player testing and its expanded development structure. A brief pre-alpha gameplay snippet was showcased within a video introducing "Battlefield Labs," a program seeking playtesters.

Simultaneously, EA revealed "Battlefield Studios," a collaborative effort uniting four studios: DICE (Stockholm), Motive, Ripple Effect, and Criterion. Each studio contributes specialized expertise:

• DICE (Sweden): Multiplayer development.
• Motive: Single-player missions and multiplayer maps.
• Ripple Effect: Player acquisition and franchise growth.
• Criterion: Single-player campaign.

The new Battlefield marks a return to traditional linear single-player campaigns, a departure from the multiplayer-only focus of Battlefield 2042. EA emphasizes that Battlefield Studios is entering a crucial development phase, actively seeking player feedback to refine core gameplay elements before launch. Battlefield Labs will test various aspects, though not all elements will be fully realized. Participation requires signing a non-disclosure agreement (NDA).

Initial playtesting will be limited to a few thousand participants 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 included concept art hinting at ship-to-ship and helicopter combat, as well as natural disaster elements. Vince Zampella, Head of Respawn and Group GM for EA Studios Organization, cited Battlefield 3 and 4 as inspirational benchmarks, emphasizing a return to core Battlefield gameplay. The modern setting represents a strategic shift from the futuristic setting of Battlefield 2042, addressing criticisms of Specialists and large-scale maps. The new title will revert to 64-player maps and eliminate the Specialist system.

The new Battlefield faces high expectations following the mixed reception of Battlefield 2042. EA CEO Andrew Wilson described it as one of EA's most ambitious projects, reflecting the significant investment and collaborative effort across multiple studios. The "Battlefield Studios" tagline underscores EA's commitment to the franchise's revival. Zampella highlighted the need to regain 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 game.