Battlefield Next Due in FY2026, EA Announces

EA's Next Battlefield Game: A Return to Roots

Electronic Arts (EA) has announced that the next installment in the Battlefield franchise is slated for release within its fiscal year 2026, spanning April 2025 to March 2026. This follows the release of a pre-alpha gameplay glimpse and the unveiling of "Battlefield Labs," a new player testing initiative designed to gather crucial feedback during development.

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The development is being spearheaded by Battlefield Studios, a collaborative effort encompassing four studios: DICE (multiplayer), Motive (single-player and multiplayer maps), Ripple Effect (new player acquisition), and Criterion (single-player campaign). This marks a significant investment, with EA stating that the teams are in a "critical" development phase and actively seeking player input on core gameplay elements. Battlefield Labs will focus on testing core combat, destruction, weapons, vehicles, gadgets, maps, modes, and squad play, including the core Conquest and Breakthrough game modes. The class system (Assault, Engineer, Support, and Recon) will also undergo refinement to enhance strategic gameplay.

This new Battlefield title represents a strategic shift for the series, returning to a modern setting after ventures into World War I, World War II, and the near future. This decision follows the mixed reception of Battlefield 2042, particularly its Specialist system and large-scale maps. The upcoming game will revert to 64-player maps and eliminate Specialists, aiming to recapture the essence of earlier titles like Battlefield 3 and 4, often cited as the series' peak.

EA's commitment to this project is substantial, involving multiple studios and a clear focus on regaining player trust after the shortcomings of Battlefield 2042. The goal is not only to satisfy core Battlefield fans but also to expand the franchise's appeal to a broader audience by offering diverse gameplay experiences within the Battlefield universe. While platforms and the official title remain unannounced, the anticipation for this next chapter in the Battlefield saga is undeniably high.