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 monumental 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 Yōtei, and the anticipated new Call of Duty title from Activision (likely an October/November release). However, the undisputed king of the hill 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 surrounding this, coupled with the other major shooter releases, presents a significant challenge for EA's upcoming Battlefield installment.

EA's next Battlefield is slated for release within its 2026 fiscal year (before April 2026), placing it squarely in the potential release window of GTA 6, Call of Duty, and Borderlands 4. This raises the crucial question: how much weight does EA give to competitor release dates when determining its own launch strategy?

EA CEO Andrew Wilson acknowledged the highly competitive market in a recent financial call, even suggesting a potential delay for Battlefield if necessary. He emphasized the significant investment in this Battlefield title, involving four studios and substantial development time, aiming to create the largest and most successful Battlefield game yet. Wilson stated that the current year presents a complex competitive landscape, potentially influencing their launch timing. While targeting an FY26 release, EA is prepared to adjust its launch window if a later release better positions Battlefield for success and community growth.

99 Details in the GTA 6 Trailer - Slideshow

51 Images

Currently, the new Battlefield is slated for release before April 2026. A hypothetical November 2025 release (mirroring the launch dates of Battlefield 2042 and Battlefield 5) could be significantly impacted by a concurrent GTA 6 release. This might prompt EA to postpone Battlefield to Q1 2026, still within its fiscal year. Conversely, a potential GTA 6 delay to Q1 2026 could lead EA to either advance Battlefield's release 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 holding its breath, awaiting Rockstar's announcement of the official GTA 6 release date. This announcement, whether it adheres to the planned Fall 2025 release or is delayed into 2026, will undoubtedly trigger a domino effect on other publishers' release strategies.