Battlefield LABS Addresses The Biggest Problem With The Battlefield Franchise

As EA starts gearing up for the next release in the Battlefield franchise, the publisher has started to reveal more exciting news about the upcoming game. While no official launch date has been provided, the setting of the next Battlefield title will return the franchise to the modern warfare setting where it shone the brightest. On top of the previously teased images and concept art, EA recently revealed a short gameplay preview that's sparking new hope for the franchise.

Given the somewhat controversial reception over the last two Battlefield installments, with Battlefield V and Battlefield 2042 having mixed reception from fans, a new fan-direct focus could help the franchise return to what made it so great in the first place. Despite their issues, both Battlefield entries still offered action-packed gaming experiences with cinematic set pieces, giving the developers the experience needed to improve the formula with their next entry. While the official release of the next Battlefield is still a ways off, the upcoming Battlefield Labs program could help avoid another disastrous launch for the classic shooter franchise.

Battlefield Labs Will Provide Valuable Feedback From Fans

Avoiding Another Disaster Like Battlefield 2042

Ever since the release of Battlefield V, there seemed to be something of a disconnect between the developers and the vocal Battlefield fanbase, which didn't help Battlefield 2042's chances of success. While it would have been easy to write off the release, the team behind Battlefield 2042's didn't give up on the poorly received entry, continuing to improve its mechanics and gameplay over time. These improvements and drastically improved communication with the fanbase were fantastic news for players, but for a large portion of the community, it was still too little, too late.

This is exactly where Battlefield Labs comes into play, offering the perfect chance to get direct feedback on the upcoming Battlefield game long before release. While each Battlefield entry had some level of beta tests before launch, they were far too late into development to make significant changes to the game. With the next Battlefield project still being in a pre-alpha state, there's plenty of time to not only iron out technical issues but make large-scale changes based on direct feedback from a wide variety of players.

There's Still Plenty Of Hope For The Next Battlefield Game

A Chance To Return To What Made The Series So Great

Despite the negative stigma that's been following the Battlefield franchise in recent years, it's clear there's still an incredibly high demand for its adrenaline-pumping gameplay. The pre-alpha footage shown in the Battlefield Labs reveals went viral online shortly after its announcement, with the more in-depth studio showcase amassing over 1.5 million views in a matter of days.

Even the sign-up page for the pre-alpha tests was flooded with so many requests that the website crashed numerous times, with players facing hours of queue times before getting their chance to enter the selection pool. While many players are still understandably hesitant to put their trust in the franchise after getting burned by the hype surrounding Battlefield 2042's trailer, excitement still seems to be at an all-time high.

The latest pre-alpha trailer even got defense from a previous Battlefield developer with David Goldfarb on X, supporting the idea that the next entry looks like it could be a true return to form for the series. Although it's still far too early to tell if the next Battlefield will manage to live up to its claims or be a repeat disaster like its semi-futuristic predecessor, the upcoming release has the potential to be one of the best Battlefield entries in years.

The Upcoming Battlefield Will Have A Lot To Prove

Correcting The Mistakes Of Its Recent Entries

While getting a game into players' hands early is a fantastic way to get direct hands-on feedback, it can also be a double-edged sword. From vocal minorities to decisions that go against the core image the developers had in mind for the game, the next Battlefield will need to balance between demands from fans while still staying true to its unique vision. Despite these potential difficulties, Battlefield Labs is a fantastic step in the right direction for the series, giving the developers a better idea of what their players want out of a new Battlefield ​​​​​​entry.

Even if Battlefield 2042 managed to transform itself drastically in the years following its release, the next entry could be a make-or-break moment for the series that could have a huge impact on its future. The success of the next Battlefield game may also determine if its single-player narrative modes will continue in the future, as it has already been confirmed to feature a fully standalone single-player experience on top of the massively destructive multiplayer modes.

There's no shortage of directions that Battlefield's could take, whether developers choose to bring back and modify fan-favorite offerings like Battlefield Portal or introduce entirely new ones with a battle-royale-style game mode. In any scenario, there's plenty of potential to make the next entry in the beloved Battlefield series a more than memorable experience.

Source: locust9/X, Battlefield/YouTube