2025 is shaping up to be a blockbuster year for AAA video games. The anticipated launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 and its exclusive titles will compete with a robust lineup of major releases later in the year, including Borderlands 4, Mafia: The Old Country, Ghost of Tsushima, and the next Call of Duty installment from Activision (likely slated for October or November).
However, the most significant title remains Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto 6, currently scheduled for a Fall 2025 release on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. While Take-Two Interactive, Rockstar's parent company, is currently adhering to the Fall 2025 window, the uncertainty surrounding its release, combined with the other major shooters launching that year, presents a considerable challenge for EA's Battlefield franchise.
EA plans to release the next Battlefield game within its 2026 fiscal year (before April 2026), a timeframe that directly overlaps with the potential release windows of GTA 6, Call of Duty, and Borderlands 4. The impact of competing release dates on EA's launch strategy is significant, as acknowledged by EA CEO Andrew Wilson during a recent financial call. Wilson indicated a willingness to delay Battlefield if necessary to optimize its launch window.
Wilson stated that EA has invested heavily in this Battlefield iteration, utilizing four studios and allocating substantial development time. The goal is to create the largest and most successful Battlefield game to date, ensuring a launch that maximizes its potential and fosters a robust player community. He acknowledged that 2025's competitive landscape might necessitate a reassessment of the launch timing, emphasizing that while the FY26 window remains the target, a shift might occur if a more favorable launch window emerges.
99 Details in the GTA 6 Trailer - Slideshow
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Currently, Battlefield is slated for release before April 2026. A hypothetical November 2025 release (mirroring the launch dates of Battlefield 2042 and Battlefield 5) could necessitate a postponement to Q1 2026 should GTA 6 launch concurrently. Conversely, a potential GTA 6 delay to Q1 2026 could prompt EA to either advance or delay Battlefield's release, potentially pushing it outside of the fiscal year. While a significant decision, Wilson's comments suggest EA is prepared for such strategic adjustments.
The industry awaits Rockstar's official announcement of the GTA 6 release date. This announcement, whether confirming the Fall 2025 release or announcing a delay into 2026, will undoubtedly influence the release strategies of numerous other third-party publishers, including EA.
