EA has announced a date for a major update on the upcoming Battlefield game's community testing program, set for February 3, 2025, at 5 PM CET (8 AM PDT). Fans can expect a closer look at what’s next for Battlefield and how they could help shape the game ahead of its release. This community-driven move is EA's way of avoiding the tech issues that plagued previous releases like Battlefield 2042 and Battlefield V.
Players were pretty frustrated since these games had problems that weren’t sorted out until after release. Through the early playtest, EA hopes to gather player feedback and fix any major issues ahead of the game's release. The title of the new game is still under wraps, but it’s returning to a modern setting after mixed feelings about Battlefield 1’s World War I setting and the near future of Battlefield 2042.
In addition to the setting, EA has made significant changes in the game's structure, including ditching the controversial Specialist system from 2042. The plan is to go with more traditional 64-player maps, dialing down from the chaos of 128-player matches in 2042. EA's decision to loop the community in early is inspired by how well it worked with the Skate series.
The studio’s been busy with internal and player testing, and the next round of community tests is coming up, likely giving fans a deeper dive into multiplayer modes and maybe a peek at pre-alpha gameplay. DICE is taking the lead on multiplayer, with Motive (famous for the Dead Space remake) handling the single-player side.
Criterion, the team behind Need for Speed, is developing extra content and supporting both single-player and multiplayer gameplay. If you're curious about how to join the testing phases, today’s the day to tune in. If all goes well, the next Battlefield might dodge the usual pitfalls and get back to the intensity fans crave.