EA Delays Battlefield Due to Competitive Landscape

2025 is shaping up to be a massive year for AAA video games. The launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 and its exclusives will be a major factor, but the real heavy hitters are slated for later in the year: Borderlands 4, Mafia: The Old Country, Ghost of Yōtei, and the inevitable new Call of Duty title from Activision (likely October/November). However, the biggest game of the year will undoubtedly be Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto 6, currently scheduled for a Fall 2025 release on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.

The uncertainty surrounding GTA 6's release date, combined with the other major shooters launching, presents a significant challenge for EA's upcoming Battlefield title. Battlefield is planned for EA's 2026 fiscal year (before April 2026), putting it squarely in competition with GTA 6, and potentially Call of Duty and Borderlands 4.

EA CEO Andrew Wilson acknowledged the competitive landscape in a recent financial call, stating that the company is heavily invested in the next Battlefield installment, with four studios contributing to what they aim to be the largest Battlefield game yet. He emphasized the importance of choosing a launch window that maximizes the game's potential and allows for strong community growth. Wilson hinted at the possibility of adjusting the launch date based on the competitive landscape, suggesting a delay is a viable option if necessary to ensure a successful launch.

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A November 2025 release for Battlefield (mirroring the launch dates of Battlefield 2042 and Battlefield 5) could be problematic if GTA 6 launches around the same time. This could lead EA to postpone Battlefield to Q1 2026, still within their fiscal year. Conversely, a potential GTA 6 delay to Q1 2026 could force EA to either bring Battlefield forward or push it into the next fiscal year – a significant decision, but one Wilson indicated EA is prepared to make.

The entire industry is anxiously awaiting Rockstar's official GTA 6 release date announcement. This announcement, whether it confirms the Fall 2025 release or a delay into 2026, will significantly impact the release strategies of many other third-party publishers, including EA.