EA has unveiled the first official glimpse into the new Battlefield game, marking a significant step in its development journey. The sneak peek, part of a pre-alpha gameplay video, was released alongside an introduction to Battlefield Labs, a new initiative aimed at involving playtesters in the game's development process.

The upcoming Battlefield game will feature a traditional single-player linear campaign, a departure from the multiplayer-only approach of 2021's Battlefield 2042. As the game enters a critical phase of its development cycle, EA emphasizes the importance of player feedback to refine and prioritize features before launch. Through Battlefield Labs, EA plans to test various game elements, although not all will be fully complete. Participants will need to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) to join the testing.

EA expressed pride in the game's current state, even at the pre-alpha stage, and stressed the importance of playtester feedback to enhance the game's core elements such as combat and destruction. The testing will evolve to include weapon, vehicle, and gadget balance, eventually integrating these into the game's maps, modes, and squad play. Classic modes like Conquest and Breakthrough will be tested, along with new ideas and improvements to the class system (Assault, Engineer, Support, and Recon) to deepen strategic gameplay.

Initially, a few thousand participants will be invited to test the game, with servers located in Europe and North America. EA plans to expand this to tens of thousands more across additional territories. This comes after the closure of Ridgeline Games, a studio that was developing a standalone single-player Battlefield game, highlighting the significant resources EA is investing in the franchise.

In September, EA shared more details and concept art for the untitled game, confirming a return to a modern setting following previous entries set in World Wars I and II, and the near future. The concept art hints 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, emphasized returning to the essence of Battlefield seen in Battlefield 3 and 4, aiming to recapture the nostalgic feel that fans cherished.

The new game aims to correct course from Battlefield 2042, which, despite eventually finding its footing, faced criticism for its Specialists and 128-player maps. The upcoming title will stick to 64-player maps and exclude Specialists, focusing on a more traditional Battlefield experience. With significant pressure on the next installment following 2042's challenges, EA CEO Andrew Wilson has described it as one of the "most ambitious projects in [EA's] history."

Zampella reiterated EA's commitment to expanding the Battlefield universe, aiming to regain the trust of core players while attracting new ones. The goal is to offer a more diverse range of experiences within the franchise, ensuring players don't need to leave Battlefield for varied gameplay. As of now, EA has not yet announced a release date, launch platforms, or a final title for the new Battlefield game.