When we started working on Battlefield™ 1, we started looking at how we could evolve and improve a number of Battlefield staples, including the roles you can fill. Classes have been a part of Battlefield since the beginning – whether you were deploying as a Medic in Battlefield 1942 or an Engineer in Battlefield 2142, you’ve felt the impact of how Classes change the game. This time around, we saw opportunities to make some changes, both in the roles of the different Classes and the general effectiveness of every Class in combat.

Want to learn more? Check out the Classes page on Battlefield.com. It includes a Q&A with myself (Julian Schimek, Weapons Designer on Battlefield 1) and YouTuber/Battlefield GameChanger Westie, as well as an overview of what makes each of the Classes in Battlefield 1 different and unique. Curious as to what you’ll want to deploy as first? Take a peek at the page, and stay tuned over the next few months as we reveal even more.

Want to play Battlefield and feel good doing it? Like, even better than you normally do when you get a clutch capture in Conquest? Good news: in order to give back to the global gaming community, EA will donate $1 million to charity, and we have in-game missions to go along with it. The money will be shared among five nonprofit organizations which support a more inclusive environment in video games and future game-makers, with $200,000 each going to Code.org, HeForShe, Code2040, SpecialEffect and the National Center for Women & Information Technology.

From June 12 to June 17, 2016 you’ll be able to celebrate Play to Give in both Battlefield Hardline and Battlefield 4. The details on the missions can be found below. Join in, and you’ll get yourself an in-game reward for your trouble. There’s a 2XP event going on at the same time, too, so you’ll get even more for your playtime. We’ll give the money to charity either way, but why not celebrate global gaming community by helping make sure everyone who can be resupplied is.

Battlefield 4 Charity Community Mission: Resupply Score
Jump in to any map and mode in Battlefield 4 Multiplayer and help collectively score 45,000,000 total Resupply points to get a Gold Battlepack. This mission is active between June 12, 2016 9AM PT and June 17, 2016 9AM PT. You’ll need to claim your Battlepack in Battlelog before June 17, 2016 at 9AM PT.

Battlefield Hardline Charity Community Mission: Resupply Score
Hit the streets in Battlefield Hardline! Jump in to any map and mode in Battlefield Hardline Multiplayer and help collectively score 5,000,000 total Resupply points to get a Gold Battlepack. This mission is active between June 12, 2016 9AM PT and June 17, 2016 9AM PT. You’ll need to claim your Battlepack in Battlelog before June 17, 2016 at 9AM PT.

What were your first thoughts when you saw the reveal trailer for Battlefield™ 1? We hope it was excitement. Or anticipation. Or maybe you screamed and threw your drink in the air (that’s what I did). In a few days, you’ll have even more Battlefield 1 to enjoy – the EA Play livestream starts June 12, 2016 at 1:00PM PT. You’ll want to tune in to EA Play to watch the whole thing, and to see Battlefield 1 gameplay in action in a brand-new trailer and a livestream you will not want to miss.

Starting at 2:00PM PT, you’ll get your first chance to see 64-player Battlefield 1 multiplayer in action with the Battlefield Squads livestream. Battlefield Squads is the first-ever livestream of Battlefield 1 gameplay. Battlefield community members StoneMountain64 and Battlefield Friends – The Noob will lead teams composed of your favorite YouTube personalities, Twitch streamers, and even some surprise guests.

So circle the date on your calendar (or set a reminder on your phone): new Battlefield 1 gameplay is coming on June 12, 2016.

When you see an enemy with a shotgun charge your trench, or when your cover is torn apart by an LMG peeking out from behind a crumbling building, you’ll realize just why World War I is called the Great War. It was the genesis of modern warfare, and weapons were at the forefront of that push. They are powerful, varied, and most importantly, damn efficient at doing what they were designed to do.

You’ll be able to try them for yourself in a few months. In the meantime, if you want to know more, you should check out the Weapons & Gadgets page on Battlefield.com. It includes a short video showing off some of the weaponry, a Q&A with Twitch streamer/Battlefield GameChanger Darkness429 and myself (Julian Schimek, Weapons Designer on Battlefield™ 1), and a list of things you need to know about the weapons of Battlefield 1.

Excited to see Battlefield™ 1 in action? Tune in on June 12 at 2:00PM PT for Battlefield Squads, where 64-players will take part in the first-ever livestream of Battlefield 1 gameplay. Battlefield community members BATTLEFIELD FRIENDS – NOOB and StoneMountain64 will be serving as Team Captains, and their team rosters will include some of the most well-known YouTubers and Twitch streamers around, as well as a few special guests. You can see the roster (and learn more) on the Battlefield Squads page.

Want to take part in Battlefield Squads? You can win a trip to Los Angeles to join the livestream and be among the first to play Battlefield 1. Follow @Battlefield and tweet @Battlefield with a video explaining why you should be enlisted with #BattlefieldSweepstakes by June 3 for a chance to win. See the Battlefield Squads Sweepstakes Official Rules here.