EA's Next Battlefield Game: A Return to Roots
Electronic Arts (EA) has announced that the next installment in the Battlefield franchise is slated for release sometime between April 2025 and March 2026, falling within their fiscal year 2026. This announcement followed the release of a pre-alpha gameplay video showcasing the game's development progress and the introduction of "Battlefield Labs," a new player testing initiative.
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This ambitious project sees four EA studios collaborating: DICE (Stockholm), Motive Studios, Ripple Effect, and Criterion Games. Each studio is contributing to different aspects of the game:
- DICE (Sweden): Multiplayer development.
- Motive Studios: Single-player missions and multiplayer maps.
- Ripple Effect: Attracting new players to the franchise.
- Criterion Games: Single-player campaign.
EA emphasizes that this collaborative effort marks a pivotal development phase, and they are actively seeking player feedback via Battlefield Labs. This testing program will cover core gameplay elements, including combat, destruction, weapons, vehicles, and gadgets, as well as classic modes like Conquest and Breakthrough. The testing will also explore new ideas and refinements to existing systems, such as the class system. Participation requires signing a non-disclosure agreement (NDA).
This new Battlefield game represents a strategic shift for the franchise, returning to a modern setting after forays into World War I, World War II, and the near future. The decision follows the mixed reception of Battlefield 2042, which was criticized for its Specialist system and large-scale maps. The new game will revert to 64-player maps and eliminate Specialists, aiming to recapture the essence of the Battlefield experience found in titles like Battlefield 3 and 4.
EA's commitment to this project is significant, involving multiple studios and a substantial investment. The goal is to not only regain the trust of loyal fans but also to broaden the appeal of the Battlefield universe, offering diverse experiences within the franchise. While launch platforms and the official title remain unannounced, EA's renewed focus and extensive development efforts suggest a significant title in the making.
