EA Boss Willing to Move Battlefield Release Date to Account for 'Nuanced Year Relative to Competition' (*Cough* GTA 6 *Cough*)

2025 is shaping up to be a massive year for AAA video games. The launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 and its exclusive titles will compete with a robust lineup of heavy hitters slated for later in the year, including Borderlands 4, Mafia: The Old Country, Ghost of Tsushima, and the next Call of Duty title, likely arriving in October or November. However, the biggest game on the horizon is Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto 6, currently scheduled for a Fall 2025 release on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.

The potential for delays to GTA 6, coupled with the intense competition from other major releases, presents a significant challenge for EA's upcoming Battlefield title. EA's fiscal year 2026 target (before April 2026) puts the launch squarely in the potential release window of GTA 6, Call of Duty, and Borderlands 4. This raises the question of how much competitor release dates influence EA's launch strategy.

EA CEO Andrew Wilson acknowledged the competitive landscape in a recent financial call, hinting at a potential delay for Battlefield if necessary. He emphasized the significant investment in the new Battlefield game, involving four studios and extensive development time. Wilson stated that EA aims to launch Battlefield when it can fully deliver on its potential and maximize community growth. He admitted that 2025's competitive landscape might necessitate a revised launch timing, leaving the FY26 window as a target, but not a rigid deadline. A delay would be considered if a later launch window offered better growth opportunities.

99 Details in the GTA 6 Trailer - Slideshow

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Currently, Battlefield is slated for release before April 2026. A November 2025 release (mirroring the launch dates of Battlefield 2042 and Battlefield 5) could be impacted by a concurrent GTA 6 release. A potential response could be pushing Battlefield to Q1 2026, still within the fiscal year. Conversely, a GTA 6 delay to Q1 2026 could lead EA to either advance Battlefield's release or delay it into the next fiscal year – a significant decision, but one Wilson indicated EA is prepared to make.

The uncertainty surrounding GTA 6's release date highlights the industry's collective anticipation. Once Rockstar announces the official launch date, whether it's the planned Fall 2025 release or a delay into 2026, the release strategies of other major titles will likely fall into place.