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 its newly formed Battlefield Studios.

A short pre-alpha gameplay video accompanies the announcement, showcasing early development footage. The video also introduces Battlefield Studios, a collective of four studios working on the new title: DICE (Stockholm), Motive, Ripple Effect (formerly DICE LA), and Criterion.

Each studio has a specific role: DICE handles multiplayer development, Motive contributes to single-player missions and multiplayer maps, Ripple Effect focuses on attracting new players, and Criterion is responsible for 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 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 weapons, vehicles, gadgets, maps, modes, and squad play. Conquest and Breakthrough modes are confirmed, along with refinements to the class system. Participation requires signing a non-disclosure agreement (NDA).

Initial testing will involve a few thousand players in Europe and North America, scaling up to tens of thousands later with broader geographical support. It's important to note that despite the significant investment in four studios, EA previously closed Ridgeline Games, which was developing a standalone single-player Battlefield title.

The new Battlefield returns to a modern setting after previous iterations in World War I, World War II, and the near future. Concept art hints at ship-to-ship and helicopter combat, and the inclusion of natural disasters. Vince Zampella, Head of Respawn and Group GM for EA Studios Organization, cited Battlefield 3 and 4 as inspirations, aiming to recapture the core elements that made those titles successful.

The shift back to a modern setting and the abandonment of Battlefield 2042's Specialists and large-scale maps reflect a response to criticism of the previous game. The new Battlefield will feature 64 players per map.

EA CEO Andrew Wilson described the project as one of EA's most ambitious undertakings, reflecting the considerable investment and the commitment of multiple studios, as encapsulated in the Battlefield Studios tagline: "We’re all in on Battlefield." Zampella emphasized the need to regain the trust of core Battlefield players while also expanding the franchise's appeal to a wider audience.

EA has not yet announced a release date, platforms, or the official title for the new Battlefield game.