EA Unveils Battlefield Labs and Battlefield Studios for Next-Gen Battlefield
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 a return to traditional linear single-player campaigns, a departure from the multiplayer-only Battlefield 2042. EA is currently in a crucial development phase and seeks player feedback via Battlefield Labs to prioritize improvements before release. Participation requires signing a non-disclosure agreement (NDA).
EA emphasizes that while the pre-alpha build is promising, player feedback is crucial for refining combat, destruction, weapon balance, vehicles, gadgets, maps, modes, and squad play. Conquest and Breakthrough modes will be tested, alongside explorations of the class system.
Initial testing will involve a few thousand players in Europe and North America, expanding to tens of thousands and additional regions later. This significant investment follows the closure of Ridgeline Games, a studio previously working on a standalone single-player Battlefield title.
The new Battlefield returns to a modern setting after previous installments in World War I, World War II, and the near future. Concept art hints at ship-to-ship and helicopter combat, alongside natural disasters. The game aims to recapture the essence of Battlefield 3 and 4, focusing on core gameplay mechanics while expanding the overall Battlefield universe. The developers are committed to regaining the trust of long-time fans while attracting new players.
EA has yet to announce a release date, platforms, or the official title for the new Battlefield.
