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 feedback and shape the game's development.

The ambitious project is being spearheaded by Battlefield Studios, a collaborative effort encompassing four studios: DICE (Stockholm), Motive (Montreal), Ripple Effect (U.S.), and Criterion (UK). Each studio is contributing specialized expertise: DICE handles multiplayer development, Motive contributes single-player missions and multiplayer maps, Ripple Effect focuses on attracting new players, and Criterion is responsible for the single-player campaign.

This collaborative approach marks a significant investment for EA, aiming to rectify the shortcomings of Battlefield 2042. The new game will return to a modern setting, drawing inspiration from the critically acclaimed Battlefield 3 and 4, abandoning the controversial Specialist system and 128-player maps in favor of the more traditional 64-player format. Early concept art hints at ship-to-ship and helicopter combat, along with the inclusion of natural disaster elements.

EA is emphasizing a focus on core gameplay mechanics, including combat, destruction, and class-based strategic play (Assault, Engineer, Support, and Recon). Battlefield Labs will allow for extensive testing of these core elements, as well as new ideas, with participants required to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA).

The development team is actively seeking player feedback to ensure the game meets the expectations of long-time fans while attracting a broader audience. While the specific launch platforms and official title remain unannounced, EA's commitment to this project is evident, signaling a significant bet on the future of the Battlefield franchise.