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

EA Unveils Battlefield Labs and Battlefield Studios for Upcoming Title

EA has offered the first official glimpse of its new Battlefield game, alongside details about its player testing program, Battlefield Labs, and the newly formed Battlefield Studios.

A short pre-alpha gameplay video accompanied the announcement, showcasing the progress of the game. The video also revealed the four studios collaborating on the project: DICE (Stockholm), Motive, Ripple Effect (formerly DICE LA), and Criterion.

The division of labor is as follows: DICE is handling multiplayer development; Motive is working on single-player missions and multiplayer maps; Ripple Effect focuses on attracting new players; and Criterion is developing the single-player campaign. This marks the return of a traditional linear single-player campaign after the multiplayer-only Battlefield 2042.

EA is currently in a crucial development phase and is seeking player feedback through Battlefield Labs. This program will test various aspects of the game, from core combat and destruction to weapon balance and map design. Participation requires signing a non-disclosure agreement (NDA). Initially, a few thousand players in Europe and North America will be invited, with plans to expand to tens of thousands more globally.

Battlefield Labs is designed to bring in playtesters for the new Battlefield. Concept art credit: Electronic Arts.

EA emphasized the importance of player feedback in achieving the ideal balance of form, function, and feel. Conquest and Breakthrough modes will be tested, alongside refinements to the class system (Assault, Engineer, Support, and Recon). The studio also plans to explore new ideas within Battlefield Labs.

This ambitious project follows the closure of Ridgeline Games, a studio previously working on a standalone single-player Battlefield title. The new Battlefield game is set in a modern setting, returning to the style of Battlefield 3 and 4, and will feature 64-player maps, abandoning the 128-player maps and Specialist system of Battlefield 2042. Concept art has hinted at ship-to-ship and helicopter combat, and the inclusion of natural disasters.

EA aims to recapture the essence of the Battlefield experience, appealing to both veteran and new players. The company has yet to announce a release date, platforms, or a final title for the game.