Battlefield Labs Playtest Impressions
- Tom Belous (The Lanky Soldier)
- Jun 24
- 3 min read
Updated: Jun 25
We are cautiously optimistic about the upcoming Battlefield game. The leaks and early footage from the closed playtests suggest a solid foundation, with improvements over Battlefield 2042. Community feedback and ongoing testing via Battlefield Labs will be key to refining the experience. This is the first ever episode for Andreas The German.
Featuring: Tom Belous (TheLankySoldier) & Andreas The German
Episode 31: Battlefield Labs Playtest Impressions
Released on March 10, 2025
Length: 1 Hour & 52min
TIME STAMPS:
05:23 - Disclaimers
14:46 - Gameplay Blog
19:52 - Aesthethics Impressions
25:15 - 60hz Confirmed
37:10 - Release date
42:30 - BF2042 Alpha vs this
45:32 - BF Labs Future
56:57 - More Gameplay
01:03:20 - Level Design and Vehicles
01:13:35 - More More Gameplay
01:23:13 - Movement
01:27:35 - Battlelog
01:36:38 - Factions
01:39:15 - Premium
01:45:34 - Conclusion
QUOTES:
"We're designing the combat experience to ensure players of all skill levels can enjoy our gunplay and movement systems."
"The game is clearly built on Battlefield 2042's foundation, but they've cleaned up the animations and made the transitions smoother."
"If the game is going to be a live service, then the Battlefield Labs will be a perfect tool to generate hype and keep the game evolving."
"Support class is basically a medic now, which is fine, but it might defeat the purpose of class synergy"
"I personally think the game should have a prestige system"
HIGHLIGHTS:
Leaked Footage & Playtest Details:
Tom and Andreas did not participate in the recent playtest; footage was sourced from leaks.
They clarify that leaks are inevitable and discuss the importance of providing feedback to developers.
Everything discussed is subject to change; leaks are not final representations of the game.
Game Development & Testing Philosophy:
EA is intentionally leaking footage to generate hype and gather feedback.
The game is built on Battlefield 2042’s foundation but with improvements.
The importance of a solid technical foundation (like 60Hz servers) is highlighted.
Gameplay & Design Impressions:
The game looks promising, with smoother animations and UI improvements over Battlefield 2042.
The gameplay feels more refined, with better gunplay, movement, and responsiveness.
Concerns remain about map design (tight, urban maps) and vehicle mechanics, especially tanks.
The hosts discuss the importance of map variety, vehicle balance, and mechanics like disabled features and ammo management.
Community & Features:
Nostalgia for features like Battlelog, community maps, and social aspects.
The potential for community-driven content, such as community maps, is emphasized.
Support for features like 3D mini-maps, class-specific weapons, and squad perks is discussed.
Factions & Lore:
Current factions are NATO vs. a Russian-like entity, possibly Wagner.
Preference expressed for fictional factions to allow more creative freedom.
Monetization & Cosmetics:
Discussion on microtransactions, skins, and the importance of affordable, non-exploitative monetization.
Support for customizable soldier appearances and weapon skins.
Criticism of overpriced skins and microtransactions in other games like Call of Duty.
Future & Community Engagement:
The idea of ongoing live service support, community maps, and continuous updates.
The potential for community involvement in map creation and game content.
The importance of consistency and avoiding the pitfalls of rapid, inconsistent updates.
Personal Reflections & Nostalgia:
Tom and Andreas share memories of older Battlefield features, community moments, and their passion for the franchise.
They express cautious optimism about the new game based on current leaks and impressions.
DOWNLOAD: Episode 31 Transcript
Download from Google Drive
Note: Transcripts are not fully accurate, as they were not fixed for accent & grammar mistakes
