On Friday, a report published saying the next mainline Battlefield entry is undergoing extensive playtests to avoid another problematic launch.
The past couple of launches in the storied Battlefield franchise have not been up to snuff compared to the rest of the series’ lifespan. Battlefield 2042 launched with a myriad of issues, namely reports from players that ‘bullets don’t work’. Since launch, EA has remained vigilant and 2042 now plays far better than launch. Today, a new report has dropped thanks to Insider Gaming, detailing the serious approach EA is taking with the next instalment. According to the report, EA is working with four studios and ramping up playtests to ensure the franchise returns to form.
Four studios are claimed to be working on the next series instalment, with DICE, Motive, Criterion Games, and Ripple Effect leading the charge. EA and the four studios on board are focusing on obtaining player feedback and listening to what works and doesn’t work this time around, deploying “much more frequent” playtests and the data collected is allegedly more detailed than every past title launch. The new Batllefield title is taking a ‘player-first’ approach and EA Studios have been allegedly looking to restore the Battlefield Community Test Environment in order to correct the problems mainline titles have had in the past.
On another note, earlier in the week an alleged former DICE developer took to the Bluesky social platform to suggest the opposite. In the long form thread, user Rizable says “if you’re a Battlefield fan, temper your expectations. This is a new era of the game made by a completely new group of people, following a new philosophy. Whether that’s good or bad depends on your personal outlook” regarding the next instalment. The user details how many studio heads that have experience with the franchise in the past have left, leaving newcomer devs to pick up the pieces.
It’s important to note EA has made no official announcement or confirmation on the reported playtests as of this post. No official EA information has been revealed so far on the next instalment outside of a September 2024 interview with Respawn’s Vince Zampella who has high hopes for the next entry, but fans are still talking about it as EA keeps their cards close to their chest.
