EA unites four studios under Battlefield Studios to reinvigorate the franchise
Summary
EA formalizes a multi-studio structure under the new Battlefield Studios banner
Four internal teams — DICE, Motive, Criterion, and Ripple Effect — will co-develop the next entry
Move is a direct strategic response to Battlefield 2042's poor reception
Community feedback loop introduced via Battlefield Labs, an NDA-based playtesting program
"We want our community to play a key role in the future of Battlefield"
01
Four studios, one franchise
EA consolidates DICE, Motive, Criterion, and Ripple Effect under the Battlefield Studios label
Each studio brings relevant pedigree: DICE (original creator), Motive (Dead Space), Criterion (Burnout), Ripple Effect (formerly DICE LA)
The quartet is tasked with delivering a "bold and faithful new vision" for the series
Model mirrors Call of Duty's multi-studio approach, which EA began exploring after 2042's struggles
02
Battlefield Labs — community-in-the-loop development
EA launches Battlefield Labs, an opt-in playtesting initiative with NDA requirements
Early testing focuses on "pillars of play": core combat, destruction, weapons, and vehicles
Key modes — Conquest and Breakthrough — will be included in testing phases
Labs will also be used to refine the class system and explore new ideas
"Players will experience, under NDA, different pieces of an unfinished puzzle so we have time to incorporate your feedback"
Development is described as entering a "critical phase"
03
Franchise trade-offs and studio reshuffling
Criterion's full focus on Battlefield means the Need for Speed series is effectively paused
Motive's Iron Man project remains in production alongside its Battlefield responsibilities
Ridgeline Games — co-founded by Halo veteran Marcus Lehto in 2021 for a narrative campaign — was shut down in 2024
Motive absorbed the narrative campaign responsibilities following Ridgeline's closure
04
What's next
EA has not announced a release window for the next Battlefield title
"With an increased understanding of what our players want in a Need for Speed experience, we plan to bring the franchise back in new and interesting ways"
Battlefield Labs rollout signals EA is prioritizing player trust rebuilding ahead of launch
The multi-studio model and community testing pipeline suggest a longer, more deliberate development cycle
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