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

EA has unveiled a first look at its new Battlefield game, alongside details about its player testing program, Battlefield Labs, and its development structure, Battlefield Studios. A short pre-alpha gameplay video accompanies the announcement.

Battlefield Studios unites four studios: DICE (Stockholm), responsible for multiplayer; Motive (Dead Space, Star Wars: Squadrons), handling single-player missions and multiplayer maps; Ripple Effect (formerly DICE LA), focused on attracting new players; and Criterion (formerly Need for Speed), developing the single-player campaign.

The new Battlefield marks the return of a traditional linear single-player campaign, a departure from the multiplayer-only Battlefield 2042. EA is entering a critical development phase and seeks player feedback through Battlefield Labs. This program will test various aspects, from core combat and destruction to weapons, vehicles, gadgets, maps, modes, and squad play, including Conquest and Breakthrough. Participation requires signing a non-disclosure agreement (NDA).

EA emphasizes the importance of player feedback in refining the game's core elements and exploring new ideas, including improvements to the class system. Initial testing will involve a few thousand players in Europe and North America, expanding to tens of thousands later, with broader geographical support.

Despite the commitment of four studios to this project, it's worth noting EA's previous closure of Ridgeline Games, a studio working on a standalone single-player Battlefield title.

September saw the release of concept art and details confirming a modern setting for the new Battlefield, following previous iterations set in World War I, World War II, and the near future. The concept art hinted at ship-to-ship and helicopter combat, and the inclusion of natural disasters. Vince Zampella referenced Battlefield 3 and 4 as inspirations, aiming to recapture the series' core appeal while expanding its offerings.

The return to a modern setting signifies a course correction after Battlefield 2042's reception, which, while eventually improving, faced criticism for features like Specialists and large-scale maps. The new Battlefield will revert to 64-player maps and eliminate Specialists.

High expectations surround this new Battlefield, described by EA CEO Andrew Wilson as one of EA's most ambitious projects. Zampella highlighted the need to regain the trust of core Battlefield players while attracting new ones, expanding the Battlefield universe to offer diverse experiences.

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