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

EA Unveils Battlefield Labs and Battlefield Studios for the Next 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 highlights the collaborative effort of four studios under the Battlefield Studios banner: DICE (Stockholm), Motive, Ripple Effect, and Criterion.

The division of labor within Battlefield Studios is as follows: DICE is developing the multiplayer; Motive is handling single-player missions and multiplayer maps; Ripple Effect is focused on attracting new players; and Criterion is responsible for the single-player campaign. This marks a return to a traditional single-player campaign after the multiplayer-only Battlefield 2042.

Battlefield Labs will allow EA to gather crucial player feedback during a critical development phase. Testing will encompass core gameplay elements, including combat, destruction, weapons, vehicles, gadgets, maps, modes, and squad play. Conquest and Breakthrough modes will also be tested, alongside refinements to the class system. 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 more and additional regions later.

This ambitious project follows the closure of Ridgeline Games, a studio previously working on a standalone single-player Battlefield title. The new Battlefield game will return to a modern setting, featuring ship-to-ship and helicopter combat, and incorporating natural disasters like wildfires, as previously revealed in concept art. The game aims to recapture the essence of Battlefield 3 and 4, addressing the criticisms of Battlefield 2042, specifically its Specialists system and large-scale maps. The new game will revert to 64-player maps and will not feature Specialists.

EA's commitment is significant, with CEO Andrew Wilson calling it one of EA's most ambitious projects. The goal is to rebuild player trust while expanding the Battlefield universe to attract a wider audience. A release date, platforms, and official title remain unannounced.