EA has unveiled the first official glimpse of the upcoming Battlefield game, showcasing pre-alpha gameplay footage as part of an announcement regarding player testing and the game's development structure. This sneak peek is included in a video that introduces EA's Battlefield Labs and a call for playtesters to join the development process.
Additionally, EA has revealed Battlefield Studios, a collective brand encompassing the four studios dedicated to the new Battlefield game. These include the main developer, DICE, located in Stockholm, Sweden, Motive Studio, 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 the Need For Speed series to this project.DICE is focusing on the multiplayer component of the new Battlefield, while Motive is tasked with developing single-player missions and multiplayer maps. Ripple Effect is working on strategies to attract new players to the franchise, and Criterion is handling the single-player campaign. This marks a return to a traditional single-player linear campaign, a departure from the multiplayer-only approach seen in Battlefield 2042.
EA has stated that the Battlefield Studios teams are entering a critical phase of development, and they are eager to incorporate player feedback to refine and prioritize features before the game's release. Through Battlefield Labs, EA plans to test various elements of the game, although not all features tested will be complete. Participants in these tests will need to agree to a non-disclosure agreement (NDA).
Battlefield Labs aims to engage playtesters for the new Battlefield, with concept art credited to Electronic Arts. “Even in pre-alpha, we are proud of where the game is at,” EA expressed. “We tirelessly playtest, but your feedback will supercharge our development as we strive to hit that perfect note between form, function, and feel.
“This is an unprecedented moment for Battlefield. We will start by testing the pillars of play, like core combat and destruction. Then transition to balance and feedback for our weapons, vehicles, and gadgets, ultimately leading to where all these pieces come together in our maps, modes, and squad play.
“And yes, we will be testing Conquest and Breakthrough, the heart and soul of our all-out warfare experience, but BF Labs will also be a place to explore new ideas and fine-tune and improve Battlefield pillars like our class system (Assault, Engineer, Support, and Recon) to create deeper, more strategic play.”
Initial invites to Battlefield Labs will be limited to a few thousand participants, with servers located in Europe and North America. EA plans to expand this to tens of thousands more participants, extending support to additional regions. It's important to note that while EA is dedicating four studios to the project, it closed Ridgeline Games last year, a studio that was developing a standalone single-player Battlefield game, and laid off its staff.
In September, EA shared further details on the untitled Battlefield game, including its first concept art. IGN confirmed the game's return to a modern setting, following previous iterations set during 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, emphasized the importance of returning to the essence of Battlefield, referencing the success of Battlefield 3 and 4. "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 stated.
“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. But I think for me, it's that peak of Battlefield-ness is in that Battlefield 3 and 4 days. So I think it's nostalgic for players, for me, for the teams even. Those are kind of the heyday… although I would say 1942 also."
The shift back to a modern setting is a strategic move following the mixed reception of Battlefield 2042, which, despite eventually finding its footing, was criticized for features like Specialists and its ambitious 128-player maps. The next Battlefield will revert to 64-player maps and will not feature Specialists, focusing instead on traditional class roles.
The stakes are high for the next Battlefield game, following the challenges faced by Battlefield 2042. EA CEO Andrew Wilson has described it as one of the "most ambitious projects in [EA's] history," underscoring the significant investment in the project. The Battlefield Studios motto, “We’re all in on Battlefield,” reflects this commitment.
"Yeah, it's definitely betting bigger on Battlefield,” Zampella remarked in a 2024 interview with IGN. “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. And then it's expanding out and getting more players into the universe and seeing what we can do, so when you want a different experience, you don't have to leave Battlefield. You can experience more things within the Battlefield universe. So we're expanding the offerings that we're giving."
EA has yet to announce a release date, launch platforms, or a final title for the new Battlefield game.
