EA Says Next Battlefield Is 'Expected' Fiscal Year 2026

EA's Next Battlefield Game: A Return to Roots, Launching in Fiscal Year 2026

Electronic Arts (EA) has confirmed that the next installment in the Battlefield franchise is slated for release sometime between April 2025 and March 2026, falling within their fiscal year 2026. This announcement came alongside the release of the company's third-quarter financial results for the fiscal year ending March 2025.

This week saw the unveiling of Battlefield Labs, a new player-driven testing initiative designed to gather feedback and shape the development process. A brief pre-alpha gameplay showcase accompanied the announcement, offering a first official glimpse of the upcoming title. The initiative aims to test core gameplay elements, including combat, destruction, weapons, vehicles, and gadgets, as well as map design, game modes, and squad dynamics. Classic modes like Conquest and Breakthrough will be tested, alongside explorations of new ideas and refinements to the class system. Participation requires signing a non-disclosure agreement (NDA).

The development is being spearheaded by Battlefield Studios, a collective encompassing four studios: DICE (Stockholm), Motive, Ripple Effect, and Criterion. DICE is focusing on multiplayer development, Motive on single-player missions and multiplayer maps, Ripple Effect on attracting new players, and Criterion on the single-player campaign. EA emphasizes that this collaborative effort marks a crucial development phase, with player feedback playing a vital role in shaping the final product.

This ambitious project follows the closure of Ridgeline Games, a studio previously working on a standalone single-player Battlefield title. The new game marks a return to a modern setting after exploring World War I, World War II, and near-future settings in previous iterations. Concept art suggests the inclusion of ship-to-ship and helicopter combat, alongside natural disaster elements like wildfires.

The shift back to a modern setting aims to recapture the essence of the Battlefield 3 and 4 era, addressing criticisms leveled at Battlefield 2042. The previous game's Specialists system and large-scale maps proved controversial, leading to a return to 64-player maps and the removal of Specialists in the upcoming title.

EA's commitment to the next Battlefield is substantial, involving multiple studios and representing a significant investment. The company aims to regain the trust of core Battlefield players while expanding the franchise's appeal to a broader audience. While launch platforms and the final game title remain unannounced, the anticipation for this return to form is high.