The gaming community is abuzz with excitement as early playtesting of the next Battlefield game is currently underway. Although Electronic Arts (EA) has not made an official announcement, the internet is flooded with gameplay footage, courtesy of the Battlefield Labs initiative. This program, announced in February, aims to ensure that future Battlefield releases learn from the mistakes of Battlefield 2042, which received a lukewarm reception from fans.
The leaked gameplay footage showcases environmental destructibility, a key feature that was teased in the Battlefield Labs announcement video. The footage has been met with a largely positive response from fans, who are praising the game’s audio and destruction tech. Although some glitches and oddities are present, the overall impression is that the game is shaping up to be a significant improvement over its predecessor.
Interestingly, the playtest is reportedly under a non-disclosure agreement (NDA), and EA is supposedly taking down leaked videos. However, it appears that the company may have retracted its takedown efforts, as the videos remain available online. This has led to speculation that EA may be confident in the game’s current state and is choosing not to suppress the leaks.
The reaction to the leaked gameplay has been cautiously optimistic, with many fans expressing enthusiasm for the game’s potential. While there is still a long way to go before the game’s release, the early signs are encouraging. EA has a lot to prove after the misstep of Battlefield 2042, and the company needs the next game in the series to be a strong contender in the modern military genre.
Another point of “more excitement than you might expect”: The scoreboard is back.
(To be fair, Battlefield fans were really mad that EA dropped the traditional scoreboard from BF2042, to the point that they successfully bullied developers into putting it back in.)
The Battlefield series has historically played second fiddle to Call of Duty, and EA is eager to change that narrative. By allowing the leaked gameplay to stand, the company may be signaling that it is committed to transparency and is willing to take feedback from the community. Only time will tell if this approach will pay off, but for now, the signs are promising.
As the playtesting continues, fans of Electronic Arts can expect to see more gameplay footage emerge online. While it’s essential to keep in mind that the game is still in its early stages, the leaked footage suggests that EA is on the right track. With a renewed focus on environmental destructibility and improved audio, the next Battlefield game may finally be the one to take the series to the next level.
