playtesting Archives

AppWizard

May 8, 2025

EA thinks it got Battlefield right this time, projecting confidence to investors in advance of a summer reveal: ‘When we get it right, Battlefield is a giant franchise and often the biggest shooter in the year’

EA is committed to incorporating player feedback into the next Battlefield game following the mixed reception of Battlefield 2042. CEO Andrew Wilson stated that this initiative represents "the biggest playtesting initiative in franchise history," with a dedicated group of playtesters already logging thousands of hours. The upcoming title, often referred to as Battlefield 6, is being developed under the leadership of Vince Zampella and involves multiple studios, including Ripple Effect, Motive, and Criterion. EA plans to expand its Battlefield Labs testing program to include more players ahead of a summer reveal, with only a brief 10-second clip released so far. Rumors suggest the new game will maintain the core elements expected by fans.

AppWizard

March 31, 2025

At one point, Avowed would have taught us to use magic with an explosive Elder Scrolls reference: ‘How about we just have a guy on the road that blows himself up’

Berto Ritger, the regional director of Obsidian, discussed the early development of Avowed, noting that the initial starting point on the docks of Dawnshore was too linear and did not effectively immerse players in the world or its combat mechanics. The tutorialization of gameplay elements was not engaging enough. A humorous reference to the Elder Scrolls character Tarhiel, who fails at using the spell "Icarian Flight," was considered for the game, serving as an introduction to the nature of magic. However, playtesting revealed that both the original opening sequence and the chaotic nature of the pyromancer's spell could lead to players missing essential tutorials. This highlighted the need for a more structured beginning in open-world game design.

AppWizard

March 8, 2025

Battlefield playtest gameplay is leaking all over the internet, and fans seem cautiously but genuinely excited: ‘Okay, we might be back’

Early playtesting for the next Battlefield installment is underway under the Battlefield Labs initiative, which aims to improve upon the mixed reception of Battlefield 2042. Leaked gameplay footage highlights environmental destructibility and has garnered mixed but encouraging reactions, particularly regarding audio design. The return of the traditional scoreboard, absent in Battlefield 2042, indicates that EA is responding to player feedback. Despite the playtest being under a non-disclosure agreement, some leaked videos are circulating, suggesting EA may be confident in the game's current state.