EA Unveils New Battlefield Gameplay Sneak Peek

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

EA has offered the first official look at its upcoming 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 details the collaborative effort of four studios contributing to the game's development:

• DICE (Stockholm): Developing the multiplayer component.
• Motive: Working on single-player missions and multiplayer maps.
• Ripple Effect: Focusing on attracting new players to the franchise.
• Criterion: Developing the single-player campaign.

This marks a return to a traditional linear single-player campaign, a departure from the multiplayer-only focus of Battlefield 2042.

EA emphasizes the importance of player feedback during this "critical" development phase. Battlefield Labs will allow players to test various aspects of the game, including core combat, destruction, 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 to tens of thousands and additional regions over time.

This ambitious project follows the closure of Ridgeline Games, a studio previously working on a standalone single-player Battlefield title. The new Battlefield will return to a modern setting, featuring ship-to-ship and helicopter combat, and incorporate natural disasters such as wildfires, as previously revealed concept art suggested.

The game aims to recapture the essence of Battlefield 3 and 4, focusing on core gameplay mechanics while expanding the overall Battlefield universe to attract a broader audience. This represents a course correction from Battlefield 2042, addressing criticism regarding Specialists and large-scale maps. The new game will utilize 64-player maps and will not feature Specialists.

EA has yet to announce a release date, platforms, or the official title for the new Battlefield game. The significant investment and involvement of multiple studios highlight EA's commitment to revitalizing the franchise after the shortcomings of Battlefield 2042.