EA Unveils Battlefield Labs and Battlefield Studios: A Look at the Next Battlefield Game
EA has offered the first official peek at its upcoming Battlefield game, alongside details about its player testing program, Battlefield Labs, and the development structure, Battlefield Studios.
A short pre-alpha gameplay video accompanies the announcement, showcasing early game footage. The video also reveals the four studios collaborating on the project: DICE (Stockholm), Motive, Ripple Effect, and Criterion.
Battlefield Studios' Development Roles:
- DICE (Sweden): Multiplayer development.
- Motive: Single-player missions and multiplayer maps.
- Ripple Effect: Attracting new players to the franchise.
- Criterion: Single-player campaign.
The new Battlefield marks a return to a traditional, linear single-player campaign, a departure from the multiplayer-only Battlefield 2042.
Battlefield Labs: Player Testing and Feedback
EA is entering a crucial development phase and seeks player feedback to prioritize improvements before launch. Battlefield Labs will test various aspects of the game, from core combat and destruction to weapon balance and map design. Participation requires signing a non-disclosure agreement (NDA). Initial testing will be limited to a few thousand players in Europe and North America, expanding later.
EA emphasizes the importance of player feedback in achieving the ideal balance of gameplay elements. Conquest and Breakthrough modes will be tested, along with refinements to the class system.
Return to Modern Warfare and Addressing Past Criticisms
The new Battlefield returns to a modern setting, following installments set in World War I, World War II, and the near future. Concept art hints at ship-to-ship and helicopter combat, and natural disasters like wildfires. The developers have cited Battlefield 3 and 4 as inspiration, aiming to recapture the essence of the series' peak.
The game aims to address the shortcomings of Battlefield 2042, particularly the controversial Specialist system and the large-scale maps. The new Battlefield will feature 64 players per map and will not include Specialists.
EA's Significant Investment
EA CEO Andrew Wilson has described the project as one of the company's most ambitious, reflecting the substantial investment and the involvement of multiple studios. The "Battlefield Studios" tagline, "We’re all in on Battlefield," underscores this commitment. EA aims to regain the trust of core Battlefield players while expanding the franchise's appeal to a wider audience.
Further details, including the release date, platforms, and title, are yet to be announced.
