“Electronic Arts announces the return of Battlefield Labs this December 2 to continue its mission of quickly gathering targeted feedback on ideas still in development.”
Accessible only on PC via EA App or Steam, this new session is scheduled between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. (French time). Two maps are on the program: Eastwood and Operation Firestorm, testable in Conquest and Escalation modes. The key: a concrete overview of the adjustments in preparation for the December 9 update.
Precise testing for smoother, fairer combat
“The developers want to strengthen the readability of the action, the general responsiveness and the feeling of the clashes.” Participants will thus test an overhaul of the sound management of footsteps, in order to better distinguish the distance and nature of the surfaces trodden by opponents. The objective: to refine reflexes and reduce unfair situations where an enemy surprises you without you having heard it coming.
At the same time, several technical adjustments are deployed to make close combat shots more reliable, optimize the netcode and reduce the gaps between the player’s intention and what is actually happening on the screen.
A strict framework: absolute confidentiality required
“All participation remains governed by a confidentiality agreement which prohibits registrants from publicly sharing information or content resulting from this experimental phase.”
In short, a formal ban on publishing a screenshot, streaming a session or even commenting on the elements observed on networks. This requirement allows developers to test radical changes without facing pressure or misunderstanding within the community.
Battlefield Labs: laboratory of ideas for the future of the series
More than just a one-off test session, Battlefield Labs becomes an innovation platform designed to last over time. Two types of sessions are now announced by EA: on the one hand, phases planned to test upcoming features in advance; on the other, flash sessions, set up quickly to evaluate a fix or a targeted change.
In the coming months, the developers promise to test more radical experiences: new maps, alternative modes, drastic rebalancing, even prototypes of new mechanics or alternative team compositions (such as reduced squads or more focused on vehicles).
This process will also be extended to a wider audience thanks to new simplified access tools. Battlefield Labs could thus become a pillar of participatory development for the entire franchise, with a clear guideline: build with the players the foundations of the next seasons… without leaving anything to chance.