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 follows the recent unveiling of Battlefield Labs, a new player testing initiative designed to gather feedback during the game's development.

A brief pre-alpha gameplay glimpse was showcased alongside the Battlefield Labs announcement, highlighting EA's commitment to player-driven development. This initiative will involve testing core gameplay elements, including combat, destruction, and the classic Conquest and Breakthrough modes. The testing will also extend to weapons, vehicles, gadgets, maps, and squad play, with a focus on refining the class system (Assault, Engineer, Support, and Recon). Participation requires signing a non-disclosure agreement (NDA).

EA is leveraging the combined expertise of four studios under the Battlefield Studios banner: DICE (multiplayer), Motive (single-player and multiplayer maps), Ripple Effect (new player acquisition), and Criterion (single-player campaign). This collaborative effort marks a significant investment, reflecting EA's ambition to revitalize the franchise.

The upcoming Battlefield game will return to a modern setting, drawing inspiration from the highly-regarded Battlefield 3 and 4 eras. This decision represents a strategic shift away from the futuristic setting and specialist characters of Battlefield 2042, which received mixed reception. The new game will feature 64-player maps and abandon the specialist system entirely.

Concept art previously released hints at diverse gameplay, including ship-to-ship and helicopter combat, and the inclusion of natural disasters like wildfires. EA aims to recapture the core Battlefield experience while expanding the franchise's offerings to attract a broader player base.

While EA is investing heavily in the next Battlefield, it's worth noting the closure of Ridgeline Games, a studio previously developing a standalone single-player Battlefield title. The pressure is on to deliver a successful game following the shortcomings of Battlefield 2042. EA CEO Andrew Wilson has described the project as one of the company's most ambitious undertakings.

The launch platforms and official title for the new Battlefield game remain unannounced.