EA Unveils Battlefield Labs: First Look at New Gameplay

EA has unveiled the first official glimpse of the highly anticipated new Battlefield game, integrating it with an announcement about player testing and the game's development structure. This brief preview of pre-alpha gameplay footage was part of a video introducing EA's Battlefield Labs, which also serves as a call for playtesters to join the development process.

As previously announced, the new Battlefield game will feature a traditional single-player linear campaign, marking a return to form after Battlefield 2042, which was exclusively multiplayer. EA emphasized that the Battlefield Studios teams are now entering a "critical" phase of the development cycle. They are eager to gather player feedback to prioritize, improve, and refine elements before the game's release. Battlefield Labs is designed to test nearly every aspect of the game, though not everything shown will be final. Participants are required to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) to join the testing.

Battlefield Labs aims to integrate playtesters into the development of the new Battlefield game. Concept art credit: Electronic Arts. "Even in pre-alpha, we are proud of where the game is at," EA stated. "We tirelessly playtest, but your feedback will supercharge our development as we strive to hit that perfect note between form, function, and feel."

EA outlined that the initial testing will focus on core gameplay elements like combat and destruction, followed by balance and feedback on weapons, vehicles, and gadgets. This will eventually lead to testing the integration of these elements within maps, modes, and squad play. Traditional modes like Conquest and Breakthrough will be tested, alongside exploring new ideas and refining key Battlefield features such as the class system (Assault, Engineer, Support, and Recon) to enhance strategic gameplay.

Initial 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, covering additional regions over time. It's noteworthy that while EA is heavily investing in Battlefield with four studios, it shut down Ridgeline Games last year, which was developing a standalone single-player Battlefield game focused on storytelling.

In September, EA shared more details about the untitled Battlefield game and released its first concept art. IGN confirmed the game's return to a modern setting, moving away from previous themes like 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 & Group GM for EA Studios Organization, highlighted the influence of Battlefield 3 and 4 in an interview with IGN. "I mean, if you look back to the peak or the pinnacle of Battlefield, it's that Battlefield 3... Battlefield 4 era where everything was modern," he said. "And I think we have to get back to the core of what Battlefield is and do that amazingly well, and then we'll see where it goes from there."

The shift back to a modern setting is a strategic move to realign the series following the mixed reception of Battlefield 2042, which introduced controversial features like Specialists and large 128-player maps. The new game will revert to 64-player maps and exclude Specialists, aiming to recapture the series' traditional appeal.

With the next Battlefield game, EA faces significant pressure to redeem itself after the challenges faced with Battlefield 2042. EA CEO Andrew Wilson described it as one of the "most ambitious projects in [EA's] history," reflecting the substantial investment in the project. The "We're all in on Battlefield" tagline from Battlefield Studios underscores EA's commitment to revitalizing the franchise.

Vince Zampella further emphasized EA's dedication to expanding the Battlefield universe, stating, "It's definitely betting bigger on Battlefield. It's going in and expanding what Battlefield is. We have to have the core. The core Battlefield players know what they want. They've been with us forever, they've been amazing supporters. We need to earn their trust back and get them back on our side."

EA has not yet announced a release date, launch platforms, or a final title for the new Battlefield game, leaving fans eagerly awaiting more details.