EA has officially announced that the next installment in the iconic Battlefield series is slated for release during the company's fiscal year 2026, spanning from April 2025 to March 2026. This news comes as part of EA's financial results for the third quarter of its current fiscal year, ending in March 2025. Alongside this announcement, EA provided a first glimpse into the game through pre-alpha footage, signaling the beginning of player testing and the introduction of Battlefield Labs.
Battlefield Labs is a groundbreaking initiative by EA, designed to foster player-driven testing and innovation. This approach will allow EA to refine and perfect the new Battlefield game before its anticipated launch. The brief video showcasing pre-alpha gameplay is part of a larger call to action, inviting players to join as testers and contribute to the game's development.
Under the umbrella of Battlefield Studios, four dedicated studios are working tirelessly on the new title. DICE, based in Stockholm, Sweden, is focusing on the multiplayer aspect, ensuring that the core combat experience remains thrilling and immersive. Motive, known for its work on the Dead Space remake and Star Wars: Squadrons, is contributing to both single-player missions and multiplayer maps. Ripple Effect, formerly DICE LA, is tasked with attracting new players to the franchise, while Criterion, previously focused on Need For Speed, is now developing the single-player campaign.
As the development cycle enters a critical phase, EA emphasizes the importance of player feedback. Through Battlefield Labs, the company plans to test nearly every aspect of the game, from core combat and destruction to weapons, vehicles, gadgets, maps, modes, and squad play. Players will be invited to test iconic modes like Conquest and Breakthrough, as well as explore new ideas and refine the class system, including Assault, Engineer, Support, and Recon, to enhance strategic gameplay.
This new Battlefield game marks a return to a modern setting, a strategic move following the mixed reception of Battlefield 2042. The concept art released in September hints at ship-to-ship and helicopter combat, alongside natural disasters such as wildfires, promising an expansive and dynamic battlefield. Vince Zampella, Head of Respawn & Group GM for EA Studios Organization, has expressed a desire to recapture the essence of the series' peak during the Battlefield 3 and 4 era, a time cherished by both players and developers.
Despite the ambitious scope of the project, EA faced setbacks last year, including the closure of Ridgeline Games, which was developing a standalone single-player Battlefield game. The pressure is on to deliver a successful title after the challenges faced by Battlefield 2042, which saw significant criticism for its Specialists and 128-player maps. The next Battlefield will revert to 64-player maps and abandon the Specialist system, aiming to reconnect with the core fanbase while expanding the franchise's appeal.
EA CEO Andrew Wilson has described the new Battlefield as one of the "most ambitious projects in [EA's] history," underscoring the company's significant investment in the series. Vince Zampella reiterated the commitment to expanding the Battlefield universe, ensuring that players can enjoy diverse experiences without leaving the franchise. While launch platforms and the final title remain undisclosed, anticipation for the new Battlefield game continues to build as EA strives to redefine the series and reignite its legacy.
