EA has recently unveiled the first official glimpse of the highly anticipated new Battlefield game, sharing details about player testing and the development structure. The brief showcase of pre-alpha gameplay is part of a video introducing Battlefield Labs, an initiative aimed at involving playtesters in the game's development process.

Each studio has a distinct role: DICE is focusing on the multiplayer aspect, Motive is handling single-player missions and multiplayer maps, Ripple Effect is tasked with bringing new players into the franchise, and Criterion is developing the single-player campaign. This new Battlefield marks the return of a traditional linear single-player campaign, a departure from the multiplayer-only approach of Battlefield 2042.

As the development enters a "critical" phase, EA is seeking player feedback to prioritize, refine, and enhance the game before its release. Through Battlefield Labs, EA plans to test various elements, though not all features shown will be complete. Participants will need to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) to join the testing.

“This is an unprecedented moment for Battlefield. We will start by testing the pillars of play, like core combat and destruction. Then transition to balance and feedback for our weapons, vehicles, and gadgets, ultimately leading to where all these pieces come together in our maps, modes, and squad play.

“And yes, we will be testing Conquest and Breakthrough, the heart and soul of our all-out warfare experience, but BF Labs will also be a place to explore new ideas and fine-tune and improve Battlefield pillars like our class system (Assault, Engineer, Support, and Recon) to create deeper, more strategic play.”

The initial phase of testing will be limited to a few thousand participants with servers in Europe and North America, with plans to expand to tens of thousands more across additional territories. It's noteworthy that, despite the focus on the new Battlefield with four dedicated studios, EA closed Ridgeline Games last year, a Seattle-based developer working on a standalone single-player Battlefield game, resulting in staff layoffs.

In September, EA shared more details and the first concept art for the untitled Battlefield game. IGN confirmed that the game will return to a modern setting, following previous entries set during 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, drew parallels to Battlefield 3 and 4 in an IGN interview. "I mean, if you look back to the peak or the pinnacle of Battlefield, it's that Battlefield 3... Battlefield 4 era where everything was modern,” he said.

“And I think we have to get back to the core of what Battlefield is and do that amazingly well, and then we'll see where it goes from there. But I think for me, it's that peak of Battlefield-ness is in that Battlefield 3 and 4 days. So I think it's nostalgic for players, for me, for the teams even. Those are kind of the heyday… although I would say 1942 also."

This shift to a modern setting is a strategic move to realign the series after Battlefield 2042, which struggled with its new Specialist characters and large 128-player maps, eventually scaling back to 64 players. The upcoming game will not feature Specialists, focusing instead on a more traditional experience.

The stakes are high for the next Battlefield following the challenges faced by 2042. EA CEO Andrew Wilson has described it as one of the "most ambitious projects in [EA's] history." With significant investment and the "We’re all in on Battlefield" tagline, the pressure is on to deliver.

Zampella emphasized the importance of reconnecting with the core Battlefield community and expanding the franchise's appeal. "Yeah, it's definitely betting bigger on Battlefield,” he told IGN in 2024. “It's going in and expanding what Battlefield is. We have to have the core. The core Battlefield players know what they want. They've been with us forever, they've been amazing supporters. We need to earn their trust back and get them back on our side. And then it's expanding out and getting more players into the universe and seeing what we can do, so when you want a different experience, you don't have to leave Battlefield. You can experience more things within the Battlefield universe. So we're expanding the offerings that we're giving."

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