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EA Unveils Battlefield Labs: First Official Gameplay Revealed

by Savannah Apr 20,2025

EA has unveiled the first official glimpse of the upcoming Battlefield game, highlighting player testing and the development structure. A brief pre-alpha gameplay snippet was shared as part of a video introducing Battlefield Labs, a new initiative aimed at engaging playtesters.

Simultaneously, EA introduced Battlefield Studios, an umbrella brand encompassing the four studios involved in the game's development. These studios include DICE in Stockholm, Sweden, responsible for the multiplayer aspect; Motive, known for the Dead Space remake and Star Wars: Squadrons, focusing on single-player missions and multiplayer maps; Ripple Effect (formerly DICE LA) in the U.S., tasked with attracting new players to the franchise; and Criterion in the UK, previously involved with Need For Speed, now working on the single-player campaign.

The new Battlefield game marks a return to a traditional single-player linear campaign, a departure from the multiplayer-only approach seen in 2021's Battlefield 2042. EA emphasized that the development teams are entering a crucial phase, seeking player feedback to refine the game before its release. Through Battlefield Labs, EA plans to test various elements, although not everything showcased will be final. Participants are required to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA).

Battlefield Labs is designed to bring in playtesters for the new Battlefield. Concept art credit: Electronic Arts.

EA expressed pride in the game's pre-alpha state and highlighted the importance of player feedback in enhancing development, aiming to perfect the game's form, function, and feel. The testing will focus on core gameplay elements such as combat and destruction, progressing to balance and feedback on weapons, vehicles, and gadgets, and ultimately integrating these into maps, modes, and squad play. Traditional modes like Conquest and Breakthrough will be tested, alongside exploration of new ideas and enhancements to the class system (Assault, Engineer, Support, and Recon) to foster deeper strategic gameplay.

Initial testing will involve a limited number of participants, with servers in Europe and North America, expanding later to tens of thousands across more regions. This comes after EA's decision to close Ridgeline Games, which was developing a standalone single-player Battlefield game, and the subsequent layoffs.

In September, EA shared more details about the untitled Battlefield game, including concept art indicating ship-to-ship and helicopter combat, as well as natural disasters like wildfires. The game will return to a modern setting, reminiscent of the successful Battlefield 3 and 4 eras, which Vince Zampella, Head of Respawn & Group GM for EA Studios Organization, praised as the pinnacle of the series.

This shift to a modern setting aims to realign the series following the mixed reception of Battlefield 2042, which introduced controversial features like Specialists and 128-player maps. The next game will revert to 64-player maps and eliminate Specialists. With significant investment from EA and high expectations, the pressure is on to deliver a game that not only satisfies core fans but also expands the player base.

EA CEO Andrew Wilson described the project as one of the most ambitious in EA's history. Zampella emphasized the goal of expanding the Battlefield universe, providing diverse experiences within the franchise to retain and grow the player community. However, EA has yet to reveal the release date, launch platforms, or the final title for the new Battlefield game.

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