"EA Anticipates Next Battlefield Release in Fiscal Year 2026"

Electronic Arts (EA) has officially announced that the next installment in the beloved *Battlefield* series is slated for release during EA's fiscal year 2026, which spans from April 2025 to March 2026. This eagerly anticipated game was highlighted in EA's financial results report for the third quarter of the fiscal year ending March 2025, where it was described as having an "expected fiscal year 2026 release."

Alongside the release date announcement, EA provided a first official glimpse of the new *Battlefield* game through pre-alpha gameplay footage. This was part of a broader reveal about the game's development and player testing initiatives, showcased in a video introducing *Battlefield Labs*. This new initiative is designed to involve players in the testing and innovation process ahead of the game's launch.

EA also introduced *Battlefield Studios*, the collective name for the four studios currently working on the project: DICE in Stockholm, Sweden, focusing on multiplayer aspects; Motive, known for the *Dead Space* remake and *Star Wars: Squadrons*, handling single-player missions and multiplayer maps; Ripple Effect, formerly DICE LA, tasked with bringing new players into the *Battlefield* franchise; and Criterion, previously dedicated to *Need for Speed*, now working on the single-player campaign.

As the development enters a "critical" phase, EA is keen on gathering player feedback to refine and enhance the game. *Battlefield Labs* will serve as a platform for testing core elements like combat and destruction, as well as new ideas and refinements to the class system, including Assault, Engineer, Support, and Recon, to foster deeper strategic gameplay. The iconic game modes, Conquest and Breakthrough, will also be part of the testing process.

It's important to note that despite the significant focus on *Battlefield*, EA closed Ridgeline Games last year, which was developing a standalone single-player *Battlefield* game. This closure underscores the high stakes and intense focus on the current project.

In September, EA shared initial concept art and details about the game, confirming a return to a modern setting following previous games 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 and Group GM for EA Studios Organization, emphasized the need to recapture the essence of *Battlefield* seen in *Battlefield 3* and *Battlefield 4*, suggesting a nostalgic return to the series' roots.

The next *Battlefield* game is seen as a critical opportunity for EA to regain the trust of its core fanbase after the mixed reception to *Battlefield 2042*. The latter game introduced controversial elements like Specialists and 128-player maps, which were later scaled back to 64 players. The upcoming title aims to focus on a more traditional *Battlefield* experience without Specialists.

EA CEO Andrew Wilson described the project as one of the "most ambitious projects in [EA's] history," reflecting the company's substantial investment in the franchise. Vince Zampella reiterated the commitment to not only satisfy long-time fans but also to expand the *Battlefield* universe, offering varied experiences within the series.

While EA has yet to reveal the specific launch platforms or the final title for the new *Battlefield* game, the anticipation and expectations are high as the development progresses.