EA Says Next Battlefield Is 'Expected' Fiscal Year 2026

EA's Next Battlefield Game: A Return to Roots

Electronic Arts (EA) announced today that the next installment in the Battlefield franchise is slated for release within its fiscal year 2026, spanning April 2025 to March 2026. This announcement followed the release of a pre-alpha gameplay glimpse and details regarding "Battlefield Labs," a new player testing initiative.

(Placeholder - Image should be replaced with the actual image from the original text)

Battlefield Labs will allow for extensive player feedback on core gameplay elements before launch. EA emphasizes the importance of this feedback in achieving the ideal balance of form, function, and feel. Testing will encompass core combat, destruction, weapons, vehicles, gadgets, maps, modes, and squad play, including the classic Conquest and Breakthrough modes. The class system (Assault, Engineer, Support, and Recon) will also undergo refinement to enhance strategic depth. Players participating in Battlefield Labs will be required to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA).

Development is being spearheaded by Battlefield Studios, a collaborative effort encompassing four studios: DICE (multiplayer), Motive (single-player missions and multiplayer maps), Ripple Effect (player acquisition), and Criterion (single-player campaign). This marks a significant investment, following the closure of Ridgeline Games in 2024.

The new Battlefield will return to a modern setting, drawing inspiration from the critically acclaimed Battlefield 3 and 4. Concept art suggests the inclusion of ship-to-ship and helicopter combat, alongside natural disaster elements like wildfires. The game will abandon the Specialist system and 128-player maps of Battlefield 2042, opting instead for the more focused 64-player experience preferred by many fans.

EA CEO Andrew Wilson has described the project as one of EA's most ambitious undertakings, reflecting the considerable resources dedicated to its development. The aim is to recapture the trust of core Battlefield players while simultaneously expanding the franchise's appeal to a wider audience. Specific launch platforms and the game's official title remain unannounced.