Electronic Arts (EA) announced today that the next installment in the Battlefield franchise is slated for release during its fiscal year 2026, falling between April 2025 and March 2026. This announcement accompanied the unveiling of Battlefield Labs, a new player testing initiative designed to gather feedback during the development process. A short pre-alpha gameplay video was also released.
Battlefield Labs will allow EA to test various aspects of the game, from core combat and destruction to weapon balance, vehicle performance, and gadget functionality. Testing will encompass key game modes like Conquest and Breakthrough, alongside exploration of new ideas and refinements to existing systems such as the class system (Assault, Engineer, Support, and Recon). Participation requires signing a non-disclosure agreement (NDA).
EA also introduced Battlefield Studios, a collective of four studios working on the new title: DICE (Stockholm, focusing on multiplayer), Motive (single-player missions and multiplayer maps), Ripple Effect (new player acquisition), and Criterion (single-player campaign). These teams are entering a critical development phase and actively seek player input to shape the final product.
This new Battlefield will return to a modern setting, drawing inspiration from the well-received Battlefield 3 and 4 eras, as confirmed by Vince Zampella, Head of Respawn and Group GM for EA Studios Organization. The game will feature 64-player maps and abandon the Specialist system from Battlefield 2042, addressing criticisms of its predecessor. Concept art previously revealed hints at ship-to-ship and helicopter combat, as well as the inclusion of natural disasters like wildfires. EA CEO Andrew Wilson described the project as one of EA's most ambitious undertakings. Zampella emphasized the goal of re-earning the trust of core Battlefield players while expanding the franchise's appeal to a broader audience. Launch platforms and the official game title remain unannounced. The project represents a significant investment for EA, following the closure of Ridgeline Games, a studio previously working on a standalone single-player Battlefield title.
