Battlefield Labs is making a comeback very soon, and things are kicking off with an early look at the December 9 game update for Battlefield 6. But the devs are already teasing far bigger and more experimental features and changes for the program, offering the community a chance to drop feedback and change the shape of these additions. Just, uh… y'all remember this stuff is NDA'd, right?
"Tomorrow, we're bringing Battlefield Labs back online," the devs say in a message to the community posted on social media. "Earlier phases of Battlefield Labs helped us gather fast, focused feedback on new ideas before they reached our live game. We're now evolving and building on that foundation on how we test together as a part of our commitment to deliver the biggest and most exciting Battlefield live service in franchise history."
The first of the new Labs playtests runs on December 2 from 4 to 6pm PST on NA servers and 7 to 9pm CET on EU servers, and it will only be available on PC through the EA app and Steam. This test will offer an early look at "some of the changes and content arriving in the December 9 game update," including those promised audio fixes, improvements to networking and hit registration, and "broader adjustments across key combat systems that influence all experiences."
The devs also offer a "reminder" that "participation within Battlefield Labs continues to be subject to an NDA." If you paid any attention to the Battlefield 6 leaks prior to launch, you'll know that many players treated that NDA as more of a suggestion than a binding agreement, so maybe that reminder is necessary.
"In the months ahead, we’ll use Battlefield Labs to look at a broader range of early concepts and experimental scenarios that benefit from real player insight," the devs say. "Beyond that, we are preparing future Labs sessions that explore changes to map layouts, pacing, and alternative team compositions such as smaller player counts or vehicle-focused setups."
Map size and pacing has already been hot topic that the devs have promised to address, and it looks like Labs playtests might be how they gather essential feedback on what to change. The devs also note the following as a few examples of what might be in future Labs playtests:
- New maps and experiences
- New modes and experimental rulesets
- Prototype mechanics and systems
- Environmental changes
- Future seasonal beats before they fully solidify
- Stability and performance
There will be two main types of Labs playtests going forward. "Planned play sessions" will include "either experimental, or future focused and recurring sessions around specific features or content" that players will help shape with their feedback. "Quick, short-notice sessions" will offer quicker rounds of feedback on more focused gameplay changes.
You can sign up to participate in Battlefields Labs playtesting on EA's official site.
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