The Battlefield franchise has been through its fair share of ups and downs, but if recent events are any indication, the fanbase is still very much alive and kicking. Earlier this week, Electronic Arts (EA) finally pulled back the curtain on the future of its flagship first-person shooter series, revealing an ambitious new initiative called Battlefield Labs.

This new effort brings together four powerhouse studios—DICE, Motive, Ripple Effect, and Criterion—to shape the next era of Battlefield. One major consequence of this shift? The beloved Need for Speed series is being put on hold, as Criterion is now focused entirely on crafting the game’s single-player campaign.

In an effort to ensure that history doesn’t repeat itself (looking at you, Battlefield 2042’s rough launch), EA is opening the doors for fans to participate in playtests. The idea is simple: let players jump in, experience the gameplay, and provide direct feedback. It’s a bold move, aimed at refining combat, destruction mechanics, and other core features before the game hits store shelves.

Unsurprisingly, this opportunity has sparked a frenzy among gamers. Sign-ups went live recently, and according to new reports, the demand is through the roof.

Safe to say Battlefield Labs got a fair bit of interest. 1.3M queued to test out the next title.

Just goes to show how much the FPS space is looking for a battlefield experience right now… pic.twitter.com/rCWwzb66sg

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— TacticalBrit (@TheTacticalBrit) February 5, 2025

Battlefield’s Loyal Community Shows Up Big Time

According to MP1st, at one point, over 1.3 million people attempted to register for a chance to playtest the next Battlefield game. This staggering number was highlighted by content creator TacticalBrit, who shared a screenshot of their place in the sign-up queue.

To put this in perspective, 1.3 million people is more than the population of entire countries like Estonia or Fiji, all scrambling for an opportunity to be among the first to experience the future of Battlefield. If anyone was questioning whether the franchise still had a passionate following, this should put those doubts to rest.

Recognizing the overwhelming response, the official Battlefield Twitter account acknowledged that the initial sign-up process had some issues. EA quickly adjusted by removing survey questions to streamline the experience and improve accessibility. The company has assured fans that more improvements are on the way, ensuring a smoother process before the first round of official playtests kicks off in the coming weeks.

What This Means for Battlefield’s Future

While EA has yet to provide a concrete release date for the next Battlefield title, financial reports suggest it’s expected to drop sometime between April 1, 2025, and March 31, 2026. This means fans could be waiting another year—or possibly even longer—before they get their hands on the full game.

That being said, the sheer enthusiasm behind the playtest sign-ups proves that Battlefield still has a dedicated audience, despite past missteps. The franchise has faced challenges, especially in recent years, with Battlefield 2042’s launch leaving a sour taste in the mouths of many players. Yet, the numbers don’t lie—there’s still an undeniable hunger for Battlefield’s signature large-scale warfare.

EA’s decision to prioritize community feedback through playtests could be a turning point. If done right, this approach could help the game launch in a much better state than its predecessor. After all, players want Battlefield to succeed, and giving them a voice in the development process is a step in the right direction.

The Road Ahead

With four major studios now collaborating on the project, the pressure is on EA to deliver a Battlefield experience that lives up to its legacy. The series has always been known for its epic battles, destructible environments, and intense multiplayer action. If EA can harness the community’s feedback and avoid another botched launch, the next Battlefield could be a massive comeback story.

For now, fans will have to be patient as they wait for more details. But if the 1.3 million eager testers are any indication, Battlefield isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.