Why Battlefield’s next entry might be delayed to 2026 (if not beyond that)

Struggles with crunch and a stalled campaign could push the release into 2026.

The anticipation surrounding the next Battlefield installment is palpable. With leaks, blog posts, and developer interviews hinting at a significant evolution in the franchise, fans are both excited and wary. Yet, one looming question remains: will the game actually launch in 2025? Based on development signals, insider reports, and direct community insight from Battlefield One Podcast’s host Tom Belous (TheLankySoldier), it’s looking increasingly likely that the game may slip into 2026. Battlefield’s next installment is being developed by not just one or two studios, but four: DICE, Ripple Effect, Criterion, and Motive. Each is responsible for major pillars of the game, from multiplayer and single-player to the battle royale experience and backend support. That alone makes it one of the most complex Battlefield development cycles to date.

Recent developer blog posts and Battlefield Labs playtests have revealed sweeping changes to the core Battlefield formula, as DICE is embracing class freedom with no weapon restrictions - a move that has sparked community uproar and reinvigorated age-old debates about the franchise's identity.

At the same time, high-profile investigative journalism, such as the July 2025 Ars Technica article, has painted a picture of creative friction, crunch, and missed deadlines across development teams. Even EA CEO Andrew Wilson has shown visible hesitation when asked about the release timeline in recent earnings calls, carefully avoiding firm commitments to a 2025 date - a telling sign that the company is weighing a delay.

The sheer scale of this game cannot be overstated. In Episode 40 of Battlefield One Podcast, I said it best: this game is being made to compete directly with the titans of the FPS genre. That means offering a package that includes single-player, multiplayer, battle royale, and a live service model.

You can tell this isn’t just a game release—it’s a full-on franchise reset. And that comes with growing pains.

There are five critical reasons why a 2025 release is increasingly unlikely:

1. Four Studios, One Vision?

   
   

   Getting DICE, Motive, Ripple Effect, and Criterion aligned is no easy task. Each team has its own workflows, cultures, and creative philosophies. When you have one studio focusing on battle royale while another works on single-player, you need leadership that can unify it all. And right now, all signs suggest that the coordination isn't as seamless as it needs to be.

   
   

2. Battle Royale Ambitions

   
   

   Ripple Effect is reportedly building a Warzone-style mode - a Battlefield battle royale with fire circles and in-match missions. From what I’ve seen and read, it’s clear they’re borrowing from the best. But that also means they’re building extremely ambitious systems that take time to test and refine. According to leaker Temporyal, the current build is promising, but still far from ready for a mass audience. If you want to read more about the Battle Royale Gameplay details, please read our previous article about it

   
   

3. Single-Player Struggles

   
   

   The single-player campaign has had a troubled journey. Originally in development at Ridgeline Games, the project was handed off to Criterion, then Motive Studio in just couple months back in 2024 Spring, after leadership issues and the departure of Marcus Lehto - a key figure behind the vision. This transition has raised serious questions about whether the single-player mode will be ready in time. Do they delay the entire game to include it? Release it post-launch? Or scrap it altogether?

   
   

   Scrapping seems unlikely, considering EA officially promised a narrative-driven single-player Battlefield experience in its earnings calls. Cutting it now would reflect poorly on investor confidence and consumer trust. But rushing it out would do even more harm. So many questions remain unanswered—and until they are, the release date hangs in the balance.

   
   

4. Community Rebuilding Takes Time

   
   

   After the disaster that was Battlefield 2042’s launch, DICE and EA know they only get one shot to regain trust. Rushing this game would be fatal. In the podcast, I mentioned that Battlefield 2042's Steam player count was around 6,000 the last time I checked - not great, even factoring in other platforms. If this next Battlefield launches unfinished, that number could plummet further, dooming the entire franchise.

   
   

5. Cultural Clash & Crunch

   
   

   As revealed in Ars Technica’s in-depth reporting, EA is walking a fine line between financial pressure and creative risk. Developers have reported long hours, internal delays, and disagreements about design direction. This isn’t new in game development, but when it happens across four major studios, it raises red flags about project stability.

   
   

6. The Casual vs. Core Debate

   
   

   Perhaps the most heated topic: DICE’s decision to allow all classes to use all weapons. From a gameplay perspective, this reduces barriers and makes the game more approachable. From a purist’s view, it erodes class identity (as they say, but I disagree strongly). I compared this backlash to what Battlefield 3 faced from Battlefield 2 veterans. History is repeating itself—and while the outrage is loud, DICE seems committed to evolving the franchise for a broader audience.

   
   

On the positive side, the existence of Battlefield Labs is a long-term win for the franchise. This initiative shows that DICE is not just pushing forward blindly - they are actively soliciting player feedback and trying to avoid the mistakes of 2042. Our experience with the Battlefield 4 Community Test Environment (CTE) proves that this approach can lead to a drastically improved game. CTE helped Battlefield 4 recover from a rough launch and end its life cycle in one of the best states of any Battlefield title. The fact that Battlefield Labs is following a similar philosophy is encouraging - it means DICE may finally be prioritizing polish and feedback over rushing to meet arbitrary deadlines.

Every design choice being made right now is aimed at survival. Battlefield can no longer afford to just appeal to its hardcore fanbase. It has to compete with Call of Duty, Fortnite, and Apex Legends. That means borrowing what works, adapting what doesn’t, and building a game that can live as a platform for years - not months.

This upcoming title is going to be someone’s Battlefield 3. For many players, it will be their first entry into the franchise. And if that’s the case, DICE has to get it right. That might mean delaying the release to ensure it isn’t another rushed launch like 2042. And honestly? That’s okay. What to Expect:

If you're watching this space, here are the key takeaways:

• Don’t expect a full launch in 2025. A public beta might happen late in the year, but a full release in early-to-mid 2026 is more realistic.

  
  

• More playtest coverage will surface. Battlefield Labs is likely to expand as DICE continues to gather feedback.

  
  

• Design tweaks will continue. The controversy around weapon restrictions isn’t settled. DICE may adapt based on community pressure.

  
  

• Marketing will ramp up soon. Once DICE is confident in the product, expect a major reveal - possibly tied to a summer showcase or standalone EA event.

As fans, we want Battlefield to thrive. We want the chaos, the teamwork, the unforgettable moments. But we also want a game that lives up to the name. After everything that happened with 2042, trust is hard-earned. If that means waiting a few more months - or even another year - then so be it.

This franchise deserves a win. Let’s hope EA gives it the time and space to make that happen.

This article is brought to you by the Battlefield One Podcast, where we break down announcements like this, analyze gameplay footage, and track the development of Battlefield week to week. Whether you're new to the franchise or a returning veteran, follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you listen, and get the full picture behind the frontlines.

---

Before you go... Thank you for reading this article from Battlefield One Podcast - we appreciate you taking the time to be on this website and read everything we have to say. If you enjoyed what you read, be sure to check out our full podcast episodes, where we discuss the history, chaos, news, updates and community "temperature" behind the Battlefield franchise in even more detail.

This website is entirely ad-free and independently run. We’re able to keep it online, maintain the archive of all our episodes, and keep creating new content thanks to the generous support from our listeners through Patreon and direct donations. If you value what we’re building here and want to help us keep going, please consider subscribing or making a contribution.

Every bit of support means the world to us and helps us stay focused on what matters - delivering honest, detailed, no nonsense Battlefield related content without compromise.

Please go to Patreon.com/TheLankySoldier or our dedicated donation page on this website, Battlefieldone.net/Donation