Battlefield Labs is actively enhancing destructible environments for the upcoming installment in the Battlefield series. Announced by EA in February, Battlefield Labs serves as a community testing platform where players can engage with nearly all systems and features of the new game. The developers are leveraging this collaborative effort to refine the mechanics of destruction, aiming for a more balanced experience compared to previous titles.
Since the launch of Battlefield Labs, there has been significant interest from players, resulting in high traffic on the registration site. Following the challenges faced by Battlefield 2042, improvements in gameplay features are focused on making destruction feel more impactful and integrated into players’ tactical strategies. The first playtest, which took place in early March, primarily examined aspects like gunplay and server performance.
However, the focus has since shifted to destructible environments, allowing players to explore new pathways and gain advantages over their opponents. An official community update released on Steam highlighted this transition, emphasizing the team’s objective to discover how destructibility can enhance gameplay. They aim to identify which settings should feature destructible elements and how these features can contribute to a well-balanced ecosystem.
Critical to this process is understanding the role of collateral damage resulting from destroyed structures and its effects on player interactions. As part of the recent developments, the team shared a video showcasing the advancements in destruction mechanics. This includes a demonstration of the “apple core” destruction technique, where specific parts of a building crumble away, revealing accessible rooms.
The video also illustrated how debris from damaged structures could impact gameplay, such as a large piece of wall landing dangerously close to a player’s position. Given the criticisms aimed at Battlefield 2042 regarding its destructible environments, the developer’s commitment to refining this aspect through player feedback and rigorous testing is a promising step toward enhancing the overall gaming experience.