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 blockbuster year for AAA video games. The launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 and its exclusive titles will undoubtedly create a buzz, but the real heavy hitters are slated for later in the year: Borderlands 4, Mafia: The Old Country, Ghost of Tsushima (presumably a sequel), and the inevitable new Call of Duty title from Activision (likely October/November). However, the game everyone's watching is Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto 6, currently scheduled for a Fall 2025 release on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.

The question remains: will GTA 6 be delayed? Take-Two Interactive, Rockstar's parent company, is currently sticking to the Fall 2025 window, but the uncertainty, combined with the other major shooters launching, presents a significant challenge for EA's upcoming Battlefield title.

EA's next Battlefield installment is planned for its 2026 fiscal year (before April 2026), putting it 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 earnings call, hinting at a potential Battlefield delay if necessary. He emphasized the significant investment in the new Battlefield, involving four studios and extensive development time. Wilson stated their goal is to create the biggest and best Battlefield yet, launching it at a time that maximizes its potential and allows for substantial community growth. He admitted that 2025's competitive landscape might necessitate a revised launch timeline, and that while the team is targeting an FY26 release, a shift might occur if the initial window proves unfavorable.

99 Details in the GTA 6 Trailer - Slideshow

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The current plan is for Battlefield to launch before April 2026. A November 2025 release (mirroring the launch dates of Battlefield 2042 and Battlefield 5) is plausible. However, a simultaneous or near-simultaneous GTA 6 release could prompt EA to postpone Battlefield to Q1 2026, still within its fiscal year. Conversely, a GTA 6 delay to Q1 2026 could lead EA to either bring Battlefield forward or push it into the next fiscal year—a significant decision, but one Wilson's comments suggest EA is prepared to make.

The industry is eagerly awaiting Rockstar's official GTA 6 release date announcement. This announcement, whether confirming the Fall 2025 launch or revealing a delay into 2026, will undoubtedly trigger a domino effect, clarifying the release plans for other major titles.