Reaction to Battlefield Labs
- Tom Belous (The Lanky Soldier)
- Jun 23
- 3 min read
Battlefield community program is finally announced and it's called Battlefield Labs. Tom is discussing the franchise's direction, game development updates, community reactions, and future expectations. Tom emphasizes that Battlefield Labs will determine the franchise’s future success. He remains hopeful but cautious, urging fans to wait for tangible proof of quality.
Featuring: Tom Belous (TheLankySoldier)
Episode 29: Reaction to Battlefield Labs
Released on February 7, 2025
Length: 1 Hour & 35min
TIME STAMPS:
06:51 - Reaction to Battlefield Labs
19:13 - Blog
41:01 - Reaction to Gameplay
51:38 - Portal is confirmed
55:32 - Confirmed Classes
59:45 - Release date & Live Service
01:14:25 - Battlefield One
01:15:44 - BF Community Reaction
QUOTES:
"Battlefield Labs is basically a Community Test Environment under a different name."
"There's loads of corporate fluff in that video, but I really love the aesthetics and the direction they are going."
"Is it called just "Battlefield"? We do need a reset for the franchise."
"I had more positive feelings from this video alone than I had with any Battlefield 2042 trailers."
HIGHLIGHTS:
Battlefield Labs Announcement:
EA announced Battlefield Labs, a community test environment (similar to CTE from previous games), rebranded for marketing.
It allows players to test early builds of the upcoming Battlefield game before release.
Playtests are not on a fixed schedule; feedback will be used to refine the game.
The playtests are invite-only, with a large queue (up to a quarter-million signups in the US), and limited participant slots.
Playtests will be on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X, indicating next-gen focus.
Participants must sign NDAs; gameplay may leak despite restrictions.
Gameplay Footage & Visuals:
A 12-second gameplay teaser was shown, revealing a Battlefield 2042 foundation with Battlefield 3-inspired aesthetics.
The animations and mechanics resemble Battlefield portal and 2042, with placeholder animations confirmed by devs.
The visuals and soldier models look promising, with a Battlefield 3 vibe.
Concerns about map size and chaos; the teaser's chaos is likely exaggerated for effect.
The gameplay footage is early, pre-alpha, and subject to change.
Game Development & Studio Structure:
Battlefield Studios is a collective of four main studios: DICE (multiplayer), Ripple Effect (battle royale), Motive (single-player), Criterion (content support).
This structure is viewed as more stable than Call of Duty’s fragmented studio approach.
The foundation is based on Battlefield 2042’s engine, with ongoing updates and improvements.
Community & Industry Reactions:
Community reactions are cautiously optimistic; excitement exists but with scepticism due to past disappointments.
Many recall previous "sweet lies" from developers about franchise direction and features.
The community is wary because of past failures (Battlefield 5, 2042) and inconsistent support/supporting features.
The community wants transparency, real action, and a solid product before pre-ordering.
EA Investor Call & Release Outlook:
The upcoming Battlefield game is scheduled for fiscal year 2026 (April 2025–April 2026).
No concrete release date has been announced; speculation suggests a possible release in March 2026.
EA is open to delaying beyond FY2026 if needed, depending on competition.
The high development cost (multiple studios, expensive engine work) influences the cautious release timeline.
The game might not launch this year, contrary to previous expectations.
Community & Industry Concerns:
Past Battlefield releases suffered from poor launches and broken promises.
The community remains sceptical, demanding proof through actions, not just words.
The franchise needs a reset, possibly with a simple "Battlefield" title to attract new players.
The focus on a live-service model is acknowledged, with potential for future content and monetization.
Additional Notes & Personal Opinions:
The host is cautiously optimistic, praising the aesthetic and presentation but wary of gameplay and map design.
They emphasize the importance of community feedback and the potential of Battlefield Labs to shape the game.
The podcast aims to keep the community informed, reminiscent of early Battlefield CTE days.
DOWNLOAD: Episode 29 Transcript
Download from Google Drive
Note: Transcripts are not fully accurate, as they were not fixed for accent & grammar mistakes
