EA has officially announced that the next installment in the iconic *Battlefield* series is slated for release during their fiscal year 2026, which spans from April 2025 to March 2026. This exciting news came as part of EA's financial results for the third quarter of their current fiscal year, ending March 2025.

This week, EA provided a tantalizing first look at the new *Battlefield* game through a pre-alpha gameplay video. This reveal is part of the introduction of *Battlefield Labs*, an innovative approach to player-driven testing and development. EA is actively inviting players to join as playtesters to help shape the game before its release.

"EA unveiled *Battlefield Labs*, a new initiative allowing player-driven testing and innovation ahead of the franchise's expected fiscal year 2026 release," stated EA in their financial report.

Moreover, EA introduced *Battlefield Studios*, a collective branding for the four studios dedicated to the development of the new *Battlefield* game. These studios include DICE in Stockholm, Sweden, focusing on multiplayer; Motive, known for the *Dead Space* remake and *Star Wars: Squadrons*, working on single-player missions and multiplayer maps; Ripple Effect, formerly DICE LA, tasked with attracting new players; and Criterion, previously focused on *Need For Speed*, now working on the single-player campaign.

EA emphasized that the *Battlefield Studios* teams are now entering a "critical" phase of the development cycle. They're eager for player feedback to help prioritize, improve, and refine the game. *Battlefield Labs* will serve as a platform for testing nearly everything, though not all features will be fully complete. Participants will need to agree to a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) to take part.

"Even in pre-alpha, we are proud of where the game is at," EA stated. "We tirelessly playtest, but your feedback will supercharge our development as we strive to hit that perfect note between form, function, and feel."

The development process will start by testing core elements like combat and destruction, progressing to balance and feedback on weapons, vehicles, and gadgets, and ultimately integrating these into maps, modes, and squad play. EA confirmed that fan-favorite modes like Conquest and Breakthrough will be included, while *Battlefield Labs* will also explore new ideas and refine existing ones, such as the class system (Assault, Engineer, Support, and Recon) to enhance strategic gameplay.

It's important to note that while EA is dedicating four studios to this project, they did close Ridgeline Games last year, which was working on a standalone single-player *Battlefield* game.

In September, EA shared additional details and concept art for the untitled *Battlefield* game, confirming a return to a modern setting following its forays into 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 & Group GM for EA Studios Organization, highlighted the importance of returning to the essence of *Battlefield*, referencing the beloved *Battlefield 3* and *Battlefield 4* eras. "I mean, if you look back to the peak or the pinnacle of *Battlefield*, it's that *Battlefield 3*... *Battlefield 4* era where everything was modern," he remarked in an interview with IGN.

The decision to revert to a modern setting comes after *Battlefield 2042*, which, despite eventually finding its footing, was criticized for features like Specialists and its 128-player maps. The upcoming game will return to 64-player maps and exclude the Specialist system, aiming to recapture the focused experience fans crave.

The stakes are high for the next *Battlefield* game following the challenges faced by *Battlefield 2042*. EA CEO Andrew Wilson has described it as one of the "most ambitious projects in [EA's] history," reflecting the significant investment and commitment to the franchise. The *Battlefield Studios* tagline, "We're all in on *Battlefield*," underscores this dedication.

"Yeah, it's definitely betting bigger on *Battlefield*,” Zampella told IGN in a 2024 interview. “It's going in and expanding what *Battlefield* is. We have to have the core. The core *Battlefield* players know what they want. They've been with us forever, they've been amazing supporters. We need to earn their trust back and get them back on our side. And then it's expanding out and getting more players into the universe and seeing what we can do, so when you want a different experience, you don't have to leave *Battlefield*. You can experience more things within the *Battlefield* universe. So we're expanding the offerings that we're giving."

While EA has yet to announce the launch platforms or a final title for the new *Battlefield* game, the anticipation continues to build among fans eager to return to the heart of all-out warfare.