First Battlefield 2042 gameplay leaks from technical playtest

New Battlefield 2042 leaks provide our first (work-in-progress) glimpse at the title, showing the new Orbital map in closed technical playtests.

What you need to know

• The first uncut Battlefield 2042 footage has leaked via ongoing closed technical playtests, proving a work-in-progress glimpse into the title on PC.
• The videos provide our first gameplay on a new map, Orbital, showing off new weapons and vehicles.
• Battlefield 2042 releases October 22, 2021, on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S consoles, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, and PC.

Electronic Arts releases Battlefield 2042 later this year, and while footage has remained scarce on the upcoming project, we've now received an extended glimpse of the title in action. The latest entry in the military shooter adopts a near-future backdrop, ditching the single-player campaign for an expanded multiplayer experience. That includes new 128-player matches across some of the largest Battlefield maps, with a scheduled October 22, 2021, release date.

Closed testing on the next Battlefield 2042 is underway, with Electronic Arts inviting select community members to participate in sessions from August 12 through August 15. The technical playtest predates the upcoming Battlefield 2042 beta, locked down to a tight group of participants with a strict non-disclosure agreement (NDA) on the footage. It now appears the first batch of gameplay has now surfaced online, providing an extended, uncut look at the title in action.

Current Battlefield 2042 testing represents early, work-in-progress builds of the title, helping developer DICE trial fundamental systems before launch. The footage won't reflect the final product, especially in terms of visuals, with official trailers likely closer to the studio's ambitions for the project.

And with playtesters under NDAs throughout the week, expect to see footage removed by Electronic Arts, as uploaded. Capturing footage may also face further ramifications from the publisher.

However, this Battlefield 2042 provides a feel for the upcoming shooter, providing uncut gameplay in stark contrast to the fast-paced trailers showcased alongside the reveal. Testing appears to showcase Orbital, a new locale set in French Guiana, where players battle it out over an ongoing rocket launch. We also see several new Specialists in action, Electronic Arts' answer to the hero-based shooter, each equipped with unique gadgets and abilities.

Expect to learn more about Battlefield 2042 over the coming months, ahead of its upcoming beta and the scheduled October 22 release date on consoles and PC.