Battlefield Labs is live with first playtest scheduled for February

EA has launched a number of community playtest programs over the years, seeking feedback for projects still in development. Typically, we see these for smaller games, like Skate, while games like Battlefield are kept under wraps until the public beta tests that take place just weeks before release. This blew up in EA's face with Battlefield 2042, as the game launched with a huge number of bugs and issues. To avoid this next time around, DICE is launching Battlefield Labs. 

Battlefield Labs is the new community testing program for the Battlefield franchise. EA and DICE claim it is “the most ambitious community testing program in franchise history”. Respawn and EA Studios GM, Vince Zampella, explained that Battlefield Labs will be used to “test the experiences our teams have been building for the upcoming launch”.

From the sounds of it, fans will be able to sign up and then test out early, experimental builds of different modes being planned for the final game. The first phase of Battlefield Labs testing will go live in the coming weeks and sign-ups are already live on the Battlefield Labs page. 

To start off with, playtests will be held in the US and European countries, before expanding to other territories. DICE says that this program will play “a significant role” in the development of future Battlefield games, not just the next mainline entry to the series.

KitGuru Says: DICE has struggled to really figure out how best to differentiate Battlefield from Call of Duty and how to please fans with each new entry. Even Battlefield 4, which many fans look back on fondly, launched with a myriad of bugs and issues that took months to fix. This cycle has consistently repeated with each game. Hopefully once Battlefield Labs gets off the ground, DICE can finally put those struggles behind them. 

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