EA’s Commitment to Player Feedback in the Next Battlefield Game
In the wake of the lukewarm reception for Battlefield 2042, Electronic Arts (EA) has taken a decisive turn towards embracing player feedback. The company is methodically addressing the concerns raised by fans and has committed to ensuring that the next installment in the Battlefield series will be shaped by their input from the outset. EA CEO Andrew Wilson has described this initiative as “the biggest playtesting initiative in franchise history.”
During a recent quarterly address to investors, Wilson highlighted that a dedicated group of playtesters has already logged thousands of hours with the upcoming game, often referred to as Battlefield 6, though its final title remains under wraps. While the specifics of this extensive playtesting remain somewhat ambiguous, it is clear that EA has invested significantly in the development process.
This forthcoming title marks a new chapter for the franchise, with Vince Zampella, co-founder of Infinity Ward and Respawn, at the helm. The development effort is a collaborative one, involving multiple studios beyond the original creators at DICE. Notably, Ripple Effect, known for its innovative Portal custom servers mode in Battlefield 2042, is reportedly crafting a new Battlefield experience. Additionally, Motive, the studio behind the acclaimed Dead Space remake and Star Wars: Squadrons, is focusing on single-player content, while Criterion, famous for the Need for Speed series, is also contributing to the project alongside a dedicated “Central Tech Team.”
In a light-hearted exchange, fellow PC Gamer writer Morgan Park and I often joke about the cyclical nature of Battlefield games—how each new release is initially deemed the worst until the next one arrives, at which point the previous title is nostalgically regarded as the best. The question now is whether the upcoming Battlefield will break this cycle of criticism and praise. Given the overwhelmingly negative response to Battlefield 2042, it seems unlikely that many players will champion its cause. Interestingly, a free-to-play shooter, Delta Force, which borrows elements from Battlefield 2042, is currently enjoying considerable success on Steam.
As EA gears up for a summer reveal, the company plans to expand its Battlefield Labs testing program to include even more players. So far, the only official glimpse of the new game has been a brief 10-second clip from the Battlefield Labs announcement video. However, rumors and supposed leaked footage circulating online suggest that it retains the essence of what fans have come to expect from a Battlefield title.
