The gaming world is set for a monumental year, with titles like GTA 6 making it one of the most competitive yet. This has raised important questions for EA regarding the timing of their next Battlefield release, which is set for launch before April 2026. Despite the tight release window, EA is willing to adjust Battlefield's timing if it conflicts with other major titles.
This is especially the case with GTA 6 on the horizon, a game set to capture player attention and likely take a large slice of the market. EA CEO Andrew Wilson acknowledged during the company's latest earnings call that 2025 is shaping up to be a year unlike any other in terms of competition. The Battlefield franchise’s release window is already facing stiff competition from highly anticipated titles like Borderlands 4, Mafia: The Old Country, Doom: The Dark Ages, and others.
However, it’s the release of GTA 6 that could make or break Battlefield’s success. Rockstar’s track record and the excitement for GTA 6 suggest it will overshadow other new releases. According to Wilson, EA understands the competitive landscape and is open to rethinking the release schedule for Battlefield.
The company is confident that Battlefield will be ready for its planned release in Fiscal Year 2026, but they’ve mentioned that if the timing doesn’t feel right, they’re open to adjusting the release window. EA is making sure the game has room to grow without being drowned out by other big-name games. The truth is, EA isn’t the only one playing it safe with release schedules for 2025.
Other major publishers, including Xbox, have already admitted to the difficulties in locking in release dates for their most anticipated games because of the uncertainty around Rockstar’s GTA 6 launch. There’s no doubt a title like this will have an impact, leading developers to rethink the timing of their own launches. As Wilson put it, the gaming market is "nuanced" this year, and EA's decision to delay Battlefield could very well hinge on how the landscape unfolds in the coming months.