EA Unveils Battlefield Labs and Battlefield Studios: A Return to Form
EA has offered the first official look at its upcoming Battlefield title, 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 game's progress. The video also highlighted Battlefield Studios, the collective name for the four studios collaborating on the project: DICE (Stockholm), Motive, Ripple Effect, 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. This marks a return to a traditional linear single-player campaign, a departure from the multiplayer-only Battlefield 2042.
EA is entering a critical development phase and seeks 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. Players will be required to sign 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 later.
EA emphasized its commitment to the project, stating, "Even in pre-alpha, we are proud of where the game is at." The company plans to test core gameplay elements, including Conquest and Breakthrough modes, alongside refining existing features like the class system.
The new Battlefield returns to a modern setting after exploring World War I, World War II, and near-future scenarios. Concept art previously revealed hints of ship-to-ship and helicopter combat, along with natural disaster elements. The game will feature 64 players per map, abandoning the 128-player format and Specialist system of Battlefield 2042.
Following the shortcomings of Battlefield 2042, EA is investing heavily in this new title. EA CEO Andrew Wilson described it as one of the company's most ambitious projects. Vince Zampella, Head of Respawn, highlighted the goal of returning to the core Battlefield experience while expanding the franchise's offerings to attract a broader audience.
EA has yet to announce a release date, platforms, or the official game title.
