There’s a lot riding on the next Battlefield game. EA’s flagship military shooter has been struggling ever since Battlefield 2042 came out, but the developer has some big plans in place to try and rescue the FPS. To start with, the series’ gunplay and movement are getting a huge overhaul, as EA is testing even the smallest mechanics to figure out what works and what doesn’t.
To help shape the future of the series, EA has started a new program called Battlefield Labs. This pre-launch testing initiative is designed to alleviate fears of another Battlefield 2042-style flop, while bringing dedicated players into the early stages of development to help steer the series’ future in the right direction. Labs is a new way to make sure the next Battlefield launches right, and now EA is showing us what it means for the game.
To mark the start of Battlefield Labs, EA shares how it plans to test and improve the gunplay and movement mechanics in the next iteration of the FPS game. The team says it wants players of all skill levels to enjoy both, which will come via “precise weapon feedback and movement options for veterans,” alongside “an intuitive experience for new players to learn and enjoy.”
During the initial Lab play sessions, which footage of appears to have leaked online, EA says it has made an array of changes to how the series plays, with guns undergoing some big alterations. The studio has “reduced the time it takes for bullets to appear on your screen from when you press fire,” which should decrease input delay and make shooting more responsive than before.
The latest Battlefield is also being optimized for a 60Hz tick rate, meaning the game’s server will more frequently update player positions and actions. EA says this is so there’s “more precise shooting and movement, enhanced damage feedback, and more accurate representation of other players’ positions and combat outcomes.”
The Battlefield recoil system has also undergone some major adjustments in an effort to make every weapon feel unique. Gunplay recoil, camera shakes, and firing settles are all enhanced, and your weapon visually stabilizes the more accurate you are, helping you keep greater track of kickback.
As for movement, EA has reintroduced crouch sprint, combat diving, and the landing roll to give you more control. Motions such as vaulting and leaning now have visual indicators too, making the options at your disposal more obvious than ever.
If you manage to get into Battlefield Labs you’ll get a sense of EA’s renewed design approach, but do keep in mind that all the changes listed above are still part of an early development build for the game. Still, all of EA’s changes to gunplay and movement so far sound very promising.
Make sure you brush up on how to sign up for Battlefield Labs if you want to get involved, because there are going to be more playtests in the future.
If you can’t wait for the new Battlefield we’ve got all the best multiplayer games and best war games you can play in the meantime.
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