EA Says Next Battlefield Is 'Expected' Fiscal Year 2026

EA has announced that the next installment in the Battlefield series is set to launch during their fiscal year 2026, spanning from April 2025 to March 2026. This exciting news came as part of EA's financial results for the third quarter of its fiscal year ending March 2025. Alongside this announcement, EA provided a first official look at the upcoming game, showcasing pre-alpha gameplay footage in a video that introduced Battlefield Labs, a new initiative focused on player-driven testing and innovation.

The development of the new Battlefield game is being handled by four studios under the umbrella of Battlefield Studios. DICE in Stockholm, Sweden, is tasked with building the multiplayer component. Motive, known for the Dead Space remake and Star Wars: Squadrons, is contributing to both single-player missions and multiplayer maps. Ripple Effect, formerly DICE LA, is focused on attracting new players to the franchise, while Criterion, previously involved with Need For Speed, is developing the single-player campaign.

EA emphasized that the development teams are entering a critical phase and are eager to incorporate player feedback through Battlefield Labs. This testing phase will cover core gameplay elements like combat and destruction, as well as balance and feedback for weapons, vehicles, and gadgets. It will also explore new ideas and refine classic Battlefield features such as the class system (Assault, Engineer, Support, and Recon) to enhance strategic gameplay. Iconic modes like Conquest and Breakthrough will also be part of the testing process.

While EA is heavily investing in this new Battlefield game, it's noteworthy that last year, they shut down Ridgeline Games, which was working on a separate single-player Battlefield title. This decision underscores the company's focus on the current project.

In September, EA shared initial concept art and confirmed that the game will return to a modern setting, a move seen as a course correction following the mixed reception to Battlefield 2042. The concept art hinted at ship-to-ship and helicopter combat, along with natural disasters like wildfires. Vince Zampella, Head of Respawn & Group GM for EA Studios Organization, highlighted the importance of returning to the essence of what made Battlefield 3 and 4 successful, emphasizing a nostalgic return to the series' roots.

The next Battlefield aims to address the criticisms faced by Battlefield 2042, particularly the controversial Specialists system and the large 128-player maps. The new game will revert to 64-player maps and eliminate Specialists, focusing on a more traditional and focused gameplay experience. EA CEO Andrew Wilson has described this as one of the "most ambitious projects in [EA's] history," and with four studios involved, it represents a significant investment in the franchise.

Zampella expressed the company's commitment to regaining the trust of core Battlefield fans while expanding the game's universe to attract new players. EA has yet to reveal the final title or the launch platforms for the new Battlefield game, but anticipation is high for what promises to be a return to form for the beloved franchise.