Exciting news for Battlefield fans! EA has officially announced that the next installment in the iconic franchise is slated for release during their fiscal year 2026, spanning from April 2025 to March 2026. As part of their financial results for the third quarter ending March 2025, EA shared this eagerly awaited update, sparking anticipation among gamers worldwide.
This week, EA provided the first official glimpse into the new Battlefield game, showcasing pre-alpha gameplay footage. This sneak peek was part of an announcement introducing Battlefield Labs, a pioneering initiative aimed at fostering player-driven testing and innovation before the game's release. EA's financial report highlighted this move, stating, "EA unveiled Battlefield Labs, a new initiative allowing player-driven testing and innovation ahead of the franchise’s expected fiscal year 2026 release."
In a significant development, EA introduced Battlefield Studios, an umbrella term encompassing the four studios dedicated to the project. These include DICE in Stockholm, Sweden, known for its work on the series; Motive, creators of the Dead Space remake and Star Wars: Squadrons, now also focusing on an Iron Man game; Ripple Effect, previously known as DICE LA, based in the U.S.; and Criterion in the UK, formerly involved with Need For Speed. Each studio has a specific role: DICE is crafting the multiplayer experience, Motive is developing single-player missions and multiplayer maps, Ripple Effect is tasked with attracting new players to the franchise, and Criterion is focusing on the single-player campaign.
EA emphasized that the collective teams at Battlefield Studios are entering a "critical" phase of development. They are eager to gather player feedback to refine and prioritize elements before the game's launch. Battlefield Labs will be a platform for testing core aspects like combat and destruction, as well as balancing weapons, vehicles, and gadgets. This initiative will also explore new ideas and enhance traditional Battlefield features such as the class system (Assault, Engineer, Support, and Recon) to promote deeper, more strategic gameplay. Notably, fan-favorite modes like Conquest and Breakthrough will be part of the testing process.
It's important to note, however, that EA made the difficult decision last year to shut down Ridgeline Games, which was working on a standalone single-player Battlefield game, leading to staff layoffs.
In September, EA shared more details and the first concept art for the untitled Battlefield game, confirming a return to a modern setting after previous entries set in World War I, World War II, and the near future. The concept art hinted at ship-to-ship and helicopter combat, as well as natural disasters like wildfires. Vince Zampella, Head of Respawn & Group GM for EA Studios Organization, expressed nostalgia for the peak of the series during the Battlefield 3 and 4 era, suggesting a return to the core elements that made those games beloved.
The next Battlefield game aims to correct the course after the mixed reception of Battlefield 2042, which faced criticism for its Specialists and 128-player maps. The upcoming title will revert to 64-player maps and abandon the Specialist system, focusing on a more traditional Battlefield experience. EA CEO Andrew Wilson has described the project as one of the "most ambitious projects in [EA's] history," reflecting the significant investment and high expectations.
Vince Zampella emphasized the importance of reconnecting with core Battlefield players while expanding the franchise to attract new audiences. He stated, "It's going in and expanding what Battlefield is. We have to have the core. The core Battlefield players know what they want... We need to earn their trust back and get them back on our side. And then it's expanding out and getting more players into the universe."
While EA has yet to announce the launch platforms or the final title for the new Battlefield, the anticipation continues to build as fans eagerly await more details on this highly anticipated release.
