EA Unveils Battlefield Labs: First Look at New Gameplay

EA has unveiled the first official look at the new Battlefield game, marking a significant step in its development and player testing phase. This brief pre-alpha gameplay glimpse was part of a video introducing Battlefield Labs, a new initiative aimed at gathering player feedback through testing.

Simultaneously, EA announced *Battlefield Studios*, an umbrella brand encompassing four studios dedicated to the new *Battlefield* game. These include the primary developer DICE in Stockholm, Sweden, focusing on multiplayer; Motive, known for the *Dead Space* remake and *Star Wars: Squadrons*, handling single-player missions and multiplayer maps; Ripple Effect in the U.S. (formerly DICE LA), tasked with attracting new players; and Criterion in the UK, previously involved with *Need For Speed*, now focusing on the single-player campaign.

The new Battlefield game will feature a traditional single-player linear campaign, a departure from 2021's Battlefield 2042, which was multiplayer-only. EA emphasized that the development teams are entering a "critical" phase, and Battlefield Labs will be pivotal in testing nearly all aspects of the game, though not all features will be fully complete. Participants in Battlefield Labs will need to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA).

EA expressed pride in the game's pre-alpha state, highlighting the importance of player feedback to refine the game's form, function, and feel. The testing will initially focus on core gameplay elements like combat and destruction, then shift to balancing weapons, vehicles, and gadgets, ultimately integrating these into maps, modes, and squad play. Key modes like Conquest and Breakthrough will be tested, along with exploring new ideas and refining the class system (Assault, Engineer, Support, and Recon) for deeper strategic play.

Initial Battlefield Labs invites will be limited to a few thousand participants in Europe and North America, with plans to expand to tens of thousands across more territories. It's notable that EA closed Ridgeline Games last year, which was developing a standalone single-player Battlefield game, leading to staff layoffs.

In September, EA shared more details and concept art for the untitled Battlefield game, confirming a return to a modern setting after previous games set in World Wars I and 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 and Group GM for EA Studios Organization, reminisced about the peak of Battlefield with Battlefield 3 and Battlefield 4, emphasizing the need to return to the series' core while expanding its universe to attract and retain players.

The new Battlefield aims to correct course from Battlefield 2042, which faced criticism for features like Specialists and its ambitious 128-player maps. The upcoming game will revert to 64-player maps and eliminate Specialists, focusing on delivering a more focused experience.

With significant investment and high stakes, EA CEO Andrew Wilson described the new Battlefield as one of the "most ambitious projects in [EA's] history." Zampella stressed the importance of regaining the trust of core Battlefield players while expanding the game's offerings to provide varied experiences within the Battlefield universe.

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