A significant revelation during the recent Battlefield 6 multiplayer showcase was the unveiling of an upcoming Battlefield battle royale project. While concrete details are currently limited, Battlefield Studios has released an initial teaser trailer and confirmed several key aspects.
This article compiles all available information to date regarding this new endeavor, alongside a brief overview of Battlefield`s past engagement with the battle royale genre.
Article Highlights:
- Insights into the new Battlefield battle royale teaser trailer
- A look back at Firestorm, Battlefield`s previous attempt at battle royale
- Information on the development studio behind the new Battlefield battle royale title
- Guidance on how to participate in the Battlefield battle royale testing program
- Considerations for the future of this new battle royale entry in a competitive market
The Teaser Trailer for Battlefield Battle Royale
The recently launched teaser provided a glimpse of soldiers dispersing across a lush, tropical landscape. The camera then panned outwards, revealing a colossal firestorm descending from a mountain and spreading towards them. Although the trailer itself did not explicitly name the product or even mention “battle royale,” a Battlefield community manager later confirmed it is indeed a new project designed for the battle royale format.
While the trailer didn`t offer extensive specifics, it did include a humorous scene of a soldier humorously crashing a golf cart into a swimming pool, set to upbeat music. This particular detail might hint that the tone of this new Battlefield battle royale experience could be less serious than the “grounded” approach observed in Battlefield 6.
Recalling Firestorm: Battlefield`s First Battle Royale Attempt
Back in 2018, as the battle royale genre experienced a massive surge in popularity, numerous companies, including EA and Battlefield, sought to enter the fray. EA introduced Firestorm, a mode integrated within Battlefield V, which served as Battlefield`s inaugural venture into the battle royale experience. Unique to Firestorm, instead of a traditional poison gas ring, a massive firestorm gradually contracted the map, compelling players into increasingly tighter engagements. Many players widely regarded Firestorm as an incomplete concept, perceived as a rushed addition to Battlefield V primarily to capitalize on the burgeoning battle royale craze.
Firestorm was inherently part of Battlefield V, requiring ownership of the base game to play. The prospective business model for this new iteration of Battlefield battle royale remains unconfirmed. However, given the intense competition for player time, money, and attention within the battle royale ecosystem, it`s widely speculated that EA might opt for a free-to-play standalone model, though no official confirmation has been made at this stage.
Developers Behind the New Battlefield Battle Royale
The development of the new Battlefield battle royale game has been entrusted to Ripple Effect. This EA-owned studio previously spearheaded the creation of Battlefield 2042`s Portal mode and is now leading the charge on this battle royale title. Ripple Effect stands as one of the four studios operating under the broader Battlefield Studios banner, alongside established teams like DICE, Motive, and Criterion.
Participating in Battlefield Battle Royale Testing
While the Battlefield battle royale game is still in its nascent development stages, a crucial piece of information for interested players is that Battlefield Studios intends to first make it accessible to testers via the Battlefield Labs program. This very program was also utilized by EA for the testing phases of Battlefield 6 itself.
Participation in Battlefield Labs is free of charge, although EA has temporarily halted new sign-ups. Battlefield Labs is expected to reopen registrations at some point in the future, at which time interested individuals will be able to enroll for free. The precise timing for this reopening, or when testing for the battle royale game will commence, has yet to be announced.
The Future of Battle Royale: A New Contender?
The current battle royale landscape is largely dominated by industry giants such as Fortnite, PUBG, and Call of Duty: Warzone. With players increasingly committing their time to existing games, there`s considerable discussion about what strategies the new Battlefield battle royale game might employ to attract new players and maintain their engagement. Its ability to carve out a significant presence in this competitive sphere remains to be seen.
Interestingly, many previously anticipated that another major FPS franchise, Halo, would also introduce its own battle royale mode; reports indicated that Microsoft dedicated time and resources to exploring this concept before ultimately abandoning the plans. It will be fascinating to observe the strategy EA and Battlefield Studios deploy for their battle royale entry. It`s also important to acknowledge that, as with any developing project, there`s always a possibility that the game might not ultimately reach a full public release.