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

EA has unveiled a first look at its new Battlefield game, alongside details about its player testing program, Battlefield Labs, and the development structure behind the project. A short pre-alpha gameplay video accompanies the announcement, showcasing early game footage.

EA also introduced Battlefield Studios, a collective of four studios collaborating on the game: DICE (Stockholm), Motive, Ripple Effect, and Criterion. DICE is leading multiplayer development, Motive is handling single-player missions and multiplayer maps, Ripple Effect focuses on attracting new players, and Criterion is developing the single-player campaign.

This new Battlefield marks the return of a traditional linear single-player campaign after the multiplayer-only Battlefield 2042. EA describes the development as entering a crucial phase, seeking player feedback through Battlefield Labs to prioritize improvements before release. Participation in Battlefield Labs requires signing a non-disclosure agreement (NDA), and initial testing will focus on core gameplay pillars like combat and destruction, gradually expanding to weapons, vehicles, gadgets, maps, modes, and squad play, including Conquest and Breakthrough. The class system (Assault, Engineer, Support, and Recon) will also be refined for deeper strategic gameplay.

Initially, a few thousand players in Europe and North America will be invited, with plans to expand to tens of thousands more across additional regions. It's notable that while four studios are dedicated to this Battlefield title, EA previously closed Ridgeline Games, a studio working on a separate single-player Battlefield game.

September saw EA reveal concept art and details for the untitled Battlefield game, confirming a return to a modern setting after previous installments set in World War I, World War II, and the near future. The concept art hinted at ship-to-ship and helicopter combat, along with natural disaster elements like wildfires. Vince Zampella, Head of Respawn and Group GM for EA Studios Organization, cited Battlefield 3 and 4 as inspiration, aiming to recapture the essence of those titles while expanding the Battlefield universe.

The modern setting represents a shift from Battlefield 2042, which, despite eventually finding its footing, received criticism for features like Specialists and large-scale maps. The new Battlefield will feature 64-player maps and omit the Specialist system.

Given Battlefield 2042's reception, significant pressure rests on this new title. EA CEO Andrew Wilson has called it one of EA's most ambitious projects, and the involvement of multiple studios reflects a substantial investment. The Battlefield Studios tagline emphasizes their full commitment: "We’re all in on Battlefield.” Zampella highlighted the need to regain the trust of core Battlefield players while expanding the franchise to attract new audiences.

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