EA Unveils New Entity, Battlefield Studios, starts playtest signups

Electronic Arts (EA) has announced the formation of Battlefield Studios, a collective of four development teams that will take over the future of the Battlefield franchise and Battlefield Labs – a new testing program.

As of now, Battlefield Studios comprises:

• DICE – originators of the Battlefield series, known for titles like Battlefield 1942, Battlefield 3, and Battlefield 1.
• Ripple Effect – creators of Battlefield Portal, which are currently developing a new experience for the series.
• Motive – developers of Star Wars: Squadrons and the Dead Space remake. Contributors to Battlefield’s narrative elements.
• Criterion – creators of Burnout and Need for Speed franchises, contributors to previous Battlefield titles as well.

EA also introduced Battlefield Labs, described as the most ambitious community testing program in the franchise’s history. Set to commence in the coming weeks, Battlefield Labs invites players to participate in the development process by providing feedback during the pre-alpha phase. Sign-ups for testers are now open.

Vince Zampella, Head of Respawn and Group GM for EA Studios Organization, emphasized the importance of community involvement: “I’ve been playing Battlefield long before I joined the team. This game has so much potential. To find that potential, with us being pre-alpha, now is the time to test the experiences our teams have been building for our upcoming launch. Battlefield Labs empowers our teams to do that.”

The initial phase of Battlefield Labs will focus on core gameplay elements such as combat mechanics and environmental destruction. As testing progresses, the program will expand to include balance assessments for weapons, vehicles, and gadgets, ultimately leading to evaluations of maps, modes, and squad dynamics. Classic modes like Conquest and Breakthrough will be tested, along with explorations of new ideas and refinements to the class system.

As of the end of 2024, the Battlefield franchise had sold approximately 90 million units worldwide.