EA has given players a first official look at the next Battlefield game, offering a brief glimpse of pre-alpha gameplay.
This reveal came alongside the announcement of Battlefield Labs, a new testing initiative aimed at gathering player feedback.
Battlefield Studios and Development Team
EA also introduced Battlefield Studios, the team overseeing the development of the next Battlefield. This includes four major studios:
- DICE (Sweden) – Developing multiplayer gameplay.
- Motive – Creating single-player missions and multiplayer maps.
- Ripple Effect – Working on ways to bring in new players.
- Criterion – Leading the single-player campaign.
With this setup, Battlefield is making a major shift by bringing back a traditional single-player campaign, a feature that was absent in Battlefield 2042.
Battlefield Labs: Player Testing Begins
EA is inviting players to join Battlefield Labs, a testing program that will help refine gameplay. Players will get an early look at features like:
- Core combat mechanics
- Destruction and map interactions
- Weapons, vehicles, and gadgets
- Classic modes like Conquest and Breakthrough
Testing will start with a limited group of players, but EA plans to expand invites over time. However, all participants must agree to a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) before accessing the game.
Battlefield Returns to Modern Warfare
The upcoming Battlefield game will return to a modern setting, moving away from past experiments with World War-era and near-future combat. Early concept art suggests the game will feature ship-to-ship combat, helicopters, and natural disasters like wildfires.
Vince Zampella, head of Respawn & Group GM for EA Studios, compared the new game to Battlefield 3 and 4, stating that EA wants to recapture the classic Battlefield experience that fans loved.
Learning from Battlefield 2042’s Mistakes
EA is making changes based on Battlefield 2042’s reception. The next Battlefield game will:
- Stick to 64-player matches, instead of 128-player maps.
- Remove Specialists, bringing back the classic class system (Assault, Engineer, Support, and Recon).
- Focus on a more refined, balanced experience that stays true to Battlefield’s core gameplay.
EA’s Big Investment in Battlefield
EA is going all-in on Battlefield, calling this one of the most ambitious projects in the franchise’s history.
However, despite its heavy investment, EA recently shut down Ridgeline Games, a Seattle-based studio that was working on a standalone Battlefield single-player experience.
The company has not yet announced a release date, launch platforms, or the final title for the game.
With Battlefield Labs now in motion, more details should emerge in the coming months. Fans will be watching closely to see if EA can bring Battlefield back to its former glory.
