Despite requiring players to sign NDAs to prevent details of EA’s upcoming untitled Battlefield game leaking online, it leaked online anyway, with dozens of video and screenshots popping up, showing off what players participating in the game’s closed playtesting have been up to.
As we reported when the leaks surfaced, the footage seems to confirm the “modern” setting previously teased by Vince Zampella, distinguishing it from other Battlefield games. A quick scroll through the Battlefield subreddit gives us plenty of firefights, as well as a taste of the game’s destructible environments and a handful of new mechanics, including the ability to hang off vehicles and dragging wounded teammates out of harm’s way.
Perhaps most surprising of all, however, is EA is seemingly doing very little to combat the leaks.
Most publishers are fiercely protective of leaked early footage as pre-release gameplay can feature incomplete animations, unfinished UI, and less-than-stellar graphics. This time, however — despite the fact players are breaking confidentiality agreements by uploading videos or screenshots — EA has yet to issue takedowns.
Perhaps that’s because, unlike Battlefield 2042’s lukewarm reception, fans seem pretty pleased with what they’ve seen so far.
“I am scared to say that but this game is shaping up very damn well. I hope there are no catches…” said one player, with another adding: “The animations of the weapons moving around while running / doing anything look better than 2042 to me.”
“Dude, even in a pre-alpha state, the explosions, bullets, and projectiles whizzing by, buildings crumbling down, dust kicking up. This has so much potential!” exclaimed another happy player.
“I can’t get over how good the sounds and the destruction look at alpha,” opined someone else.
EA expects its next Battlefield game to launch in the fiscal year 2026, which means we’ll see it released sometime between April 2025 and March 2026. From our first official unveiling just last month, we now know the new Battlefield will include the return of a traditional, single-player, linear campaign, which has been welcome news to players disappointed it was excluded in the multiplayer Battlefield 2042.
Vikki Blake is a reporter, critic, columnist, and consultant. She’s also a Guardian, Spartan, Silent Hillian, Legend, and perpetually High Chaos. Find her at BlueSky.
