The Battlefield Labs Program Is Making a Comeback

Battlefield 6 developer DICE has announced the return of Battlefield Labs, which will allow the game’s community to playtest the next major update ahead of its release later this month. Unfortunately, not every Battlefield 6 player will be able to participate in the test, as Battlefield Labs is a closed program that operates on an invite-only basis. The good news, however, is that all players are welcome to sign up for the playtest via the EA website, with no further requirements necessary. This will allow players to provide valuable feedback to DICE before the next Battlefield 6 game update is released.

For those who might have missed its reveal earlier this year, Battlefield Labs is a playtesting feature initially announced as a way for fans to experience the latest Battlefield title before its release. Those who were lucky enough to be chosen for the test were required to agree to a non-disclosure agreement, meaning they could not share any footage from the pre-alpha version of the game online. Battlefield Labs has also been used to test the shooter’s new free-to-play Battle Royale title, known as Battlefield REDSEC, which was finally revealed to the world on October 27, just 24 hours before its worldwide launch alongside Battlefield 6 Season 1.

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Battlefield Labs Returns on December 2

Following the monumental success of Battlefield 6 and Battlefield REDSEC, Battlefield Labs has been offline, but DICE now says it’s bringing the playtest back from December 2. In a new post on Twitter, the studio confirmed that new play sessions will take place on PC via the EA App and Steam from Tuesday, December 2, between the hours of 8 to 10 PM JST, 7 to 9 PM CET, and 4 to 6 PM PST. The test will give fans an early opportunity to experience some of the changes and content arriving in the December 9 game update, but players should be aware that they will once again be subject to an NDA.

The upcoming session may only be a short one, but DICE says it will focus on improvements across core gameplay, including clarity, responsiveness, and overall combat feel. These changes will be tested on Eastwood and Operation Firestorm in the All-Out Warfare playlist and will include updates to audio footsteps that improve distance perception, surface definition, and enemy audibility. The studio also says there will be new networking and hit registration refinements “aimed at more consistent interactions and better responsiveness during close-quarters combat.” Fans who participate in the test will then be able to give their opinion on these changes ahead of their full implementation next week.

Following the surprise release of Battlefield REDSEC, many likely expected Battlefield Labs to disappear until the next Battlefield game, but DICE says it plans to use the system to test a broader range of early concepts and experimental scenarios for Battlefield 6. The studio says it is currently preparing future Labs play sessions to explore potential map layout changes, pacing, and alternative team compositions, such as smaller player counts or vehicle-focused setups.

Fans can apply to Battlefield Labs via the EA website. For those who aren’t selected to take part in the test, the wait for the next Battlefield 6 update is thankfully short. The final patch for Battlefield 6 Season 1 will officially arrive on December 9 with a brand-new map, an ice climbing axe melee weapon, updates to the game’s Portal mode, and a new limited-time event for Battlefield REDSEC known as Ice-Lock Gauntlet. As confirmed by the latest Battlefield Labs announcement, fans can also seemingly expect some pretty major gameplay changes to arrive alongside Season 1’s final update next week.

Released

October 10, 2025

ESRB

Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language, In-App Purchases, Users Interact

Developer(s)

Battlefield Studios