EA has given fans an exciting first look at the new Battlefield game, part of an announcement focused on player testing and the game's development structure. The brief pre-alpha gameplay teaser was showcased in a video that introduced Battlefield Labs and called for playtesters to join the fray.
In tandem with this reveal, EA unveiled Battlefield Studios, the overarching brand for the four studios collaborating on this project. These include the main developer DICE in Stockholm, Sweden, Motive, known for the Dead Space remake and Star Wars: Squadrons, Ripple Effect (formerly DICE LA) in the U.S., and Criterion in the UK, which has now shifted focus from Need For Speed. Each studio has a specific role: DICE is crafting the multiplayer experience, Motive is handling single-player missions and multiplayer maps, Ripple Effect is tasked with bringing new players into the Battlefield universe, and Criterion is working on the single-player campaign.
This new Battlefield game marks the return of a traditional single-player linear campaign, a departure from the multiplayer-only approach of Battlefield 2042 in 2021. As the development cycle enters a "critical" phase, EA is eager to gather player feedback through Battlefield Labs. This initiative will test various game elements, though not everything shown will be fully complete. Participants will need to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) to join.
EA expressed pride in the game's current pre-alpha state and emphasized the importance of player feedback in refining the game's "form, function, and feel." The testing will start with core elements like combat and destruction, progressing to weapon, vehicle, and gadget balance, and ultimately integrating these into maps, modes, and squad play. Iconic modes such as Conquest and Breakthrough will be tested, alongside exploring new ideas and refining the class system (Assault, Engineer, Support, and Recon) to enhance strategic gameplay.
Initial testing will be limited to a few thousand participants in Europe and North America, with plans to expand to tens of thousands across additional regions. This comes despite EA's recent closure of Ridgeline Games, which was developing a standalone single-player Battlefield game.
In September, EA shared more details and concept art, confirming the game's return to a modern setting following previous entries set in World Wars I and II, and the near future. The concept art hinted at ship-to-ship and helicopter combat, as well as natural disasters like wildfires. Vince Zampella, Head of Respawn & Group GM for EA Studios Organization, highlighted the nostalgic appeal of the Battlefield 3 and 4 era, aiming to recapture that "Battlefield-ness."
The decision to return to a modern setting and revert to 64-player maps, abandoning the 128-player format and Specialists of Battlefield 2042, reflects a strategic course correction. EA CEO Andrew Wilson described the project as one of the "most ambitious" in EA's history, reflecting the significant investment through the involvement of multiple studios. The overarching goal is to re-earn the trust of core Battlefield players and expand the game's universe to offer diverse experiences without players needing to leave the Battlefield ecosystem.
As of now, EA has not disclosed a release date, launch platforms, or the final title for the new Battlefield game.
