Electronic Arts (EA) gave a sneak peek at the highly awaited next game in the Battlefield series, which will feature pre-alpha gameplay and is introducing Battlefield Labs. The purpose of Battlefield Labs is to incorporate player feedback while the game is still under development, in hopes of improving and refining the game at the final stages of its development.
As part of the announcement, EA showcased pre-alpha gameplay footage from the upcoming Battlefield title. The brief clip highlighted intense urban combat and destructible environments, two features that have long been integral to the franchise’s appeal. Although the game currently does not have an official title or release date, EA confirmed that it has entered a “critical phase” of development.
In the video, EA stressed the importance of player feedback in developing the game. The company believes that even in its early stages, the game is making some great strides. The company will ensure that the game gets to the right form, function, and feel; player input helps fine-tune these elements before launch.
Battlefield Labs: A Community Testing Program
Battlefield Labs was introduced by EA as an integral part of its development process. The program will allow players to test different aspects of the game and provide feedback. According to EA, not all elements that are shown to players will be finalized or polished because the objective is to gain valuable insights on unfinished concepts. The feedback gained through Battlefield Labs will directly influence the final design of the game.
The program is going to first test core combat mechanics and destruction features before anything else, then move on to weapons, vehicles, gadgets, maps, modes, and then squad play. Notably, EA also confirmed that popular modes like Conquest and Breakthrough will be tested under the Battlefield Labs initiative.
Battlefield Studios: Collaboration between EA Studios
The next Battlefield game will be developed by four major EA studios: Dice, Criterion, Motive, and Ripple Effect. All these studios will work under one banner to create the next-generation military shooter. The involvement of multiple studios reflects the commitment of EA to deliver a high-quality experience for players.
Impact on Other EA Franchises
In a related announcement, EA confirmed that Criterion Games, the studio behind the Need for Speed series, would now be fully dedicated to the Battlefield franchise. As a result, work on Need for Speed has been temporarily paused, with Criterion shifting its focus to contribute to the next Battlefield title.
Since the announcement of Battlefield Labs and the first look at pre-alpha gameplay, EA is definitely focusing on a more community-driven development process for the new Battlefield game. It will mean so much for the final product to be the most that meets the expectations of long-time fans and newcomers alike. As development continues, the cooperation of EA studios with the testing program will be determinants of how successful the next Battlefield game installment will be.