If you've been playing on the PC version of Battlefield 4, then you'll know that there's a little thing called the 'Test Environment.' While you may have been enjoying this for some time now, console gamers haven't had the same opportunity. As it turns out, DICE is looking to make sure console users get this feature as well. A 'Console Test Environment' will be coming to console versions of the game very soon. Considering Battlefield: Hardline is due out in March 2015, it's kind of surprising that DICE would go to such lengths. That said, Battlefield 4 will certainly be around for quite some time.
The 'test environments' work a lot like World of Warcraft's public test realms. While nothing you do in these faux worlds has a lasting impact on the actual game world you enjoy, gamers still get early access to content. By simply spending time in the test realms, you're allowing Blizzard Entertainment – developers of World of Warcraft – to collect data on your play session(s). There's a lot less bug fixing that has to be done in a first-person shooter style game, but you're basically assisting in the development of the game. If you really love the gaming industry, as well as Battlefield 4, then there's no reason you shouldn't spend a few minutes in the console test enviroments once they come out. DICE is basically trading you a sneak peek at their new content for just a quick log in.
There's no release date for the test environments yet, but check out this video made by Youtuber Westie:
