Although Electronic Arts is certainly not done with the Battlefield franchise, the publisher for sure is certain to release a new installment. Despite prior efforts, DICE has continuously fallen short to its core audience with the last couple of entries. Moving forward, it has been said that the next entry will be back in an “entirely new way” and will take the form as a “tremendous live-service”, publisher CEO Andrew Wilson touted previously.
And, this is reassuring to say the least. Alongside comments indicating a full circle with titles like Battlefield 3 being mentioned, players are excited about what this could entail. Recently, InsiderGaming did report that DICE is doubling-down on internal player testing to reduce any blowback like it faced with its recent string of releases.
This week, Electronic Arts announces a new entity has formed for the future of the series – Battlefield Studios. The new banner is a compilation of studios that make up the teams behind Battlefield: Ripple Effect, EA Motive, DICE and Criterion Games. You can watch the new trailer in the video below:
“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,” Vince Zampella, EA Studios group general manager says on the newly revealed Battlefield Labs. In tow with the InsiderGaming report, Battlefield Labs will be a community-driven effort to shape the future for the franchise.
“Battlefield Labs is a place for us to test concepts and experiences we’re excited about with you, our players. We want our community to play a key role in the future of Battlefield and this is an opportunity for many of you to do just that. We will test (almost) everything but not everything you see will be complete. To ensure that your feedback has impact, players will experience, under NDA, different pieces of an unfinished puzzle so we have time to incorporate your feedback into the final product.”
It continues: “This is an unprecedented moment for Battlefield. We will start by testing the pillars of play, like core combat and destruction. Then transition to balance and feedback for our weapons, vehicles and gadgets, ultimately leading to where all these pieces come together in our maps, modes, and squad play.” Similarly, Halo has been restructured in that same form.
In October, 343 Industries announced a rebrand for the developer with a new moniker, Halo Studios. The firm shared a new power structure would be in place and that its current effort with the Slipspace Engine would be no more now embracing Unreal Engine 5 for Halo. You can read the full report by heading here.
Are you surprised by this announcement from Electronic Arts?
Source: Electronic Arts, (1)