Everything We Know About the Next Battlefield Game: Settings, Gameplay Details, and More

The next Battlefield game is in active development, and EA has already started sharing some early details. From the return of traditional classes to confirmation of the settings, here’s everything we know so far.

It’s been three years since Battlefield 2042 launched amid much controversy. Whether it’s the new Specialists or the litany of launch issues, most of the conversation surrounding the latest Battlefield has been negative.

While it has course-corrected in the years since its launch, with a wealth of new content winning players back, EA is looking to wipe the slate clean and restart with a new release in the near future. Leading that charge is none other than Vince Zampella, who has effectively been established as the leader of the Battlefield series going forward.

While we don’t have a proper name yet or have seen any actual gameplay, we already know a lot about what’s in store. From the setting to a look at the earliest hands-on tests, here’s everything we know about the next Battlefield title.

Is there a release date for the next Battlefield yet?

No, we don’t have a release date or time frame for the next Battlefield game yet, as it’s still in early development.

What we do know for sure is that the developers are actively “testing the game weekly,” meaning there are already proper builds. So it’s further than the concept stage, but we could still be a few years away from a full release.

What’s more, in an interview with IGN, Vince Zampella, head of Respawn Entertainment, suggested that fans can expect something new in 2025.

“We have a program that we will announce next year that is designed to bring more people into the community,” Zampella said.

We’ll have to wait and see if this means there’ll be some sort of Early Access period late next year, or if this is merely a teaser for a 2026 release. Either way, it’s clear that there’s still a lot of work to be done on the next Battlefield title, so fans shouldn’t hold their breath for an imminent release.

A more realistic timeline for when the next Battlefield game will hit store shelves seems to be late 2026 or 2027.

What platforms will the next Battlefield game be released on?

Since the game is still in early development, there’s no guarantee as to what platforms it might appear on. Although we can certainly make some educated guesses based on the release schedule above, along with some early developer comments.

We’ll almost certainly see the new Battlefield launch on PS5, Xbox Series X | S, and PC. But that might not be all.

Now that refreshed mid-gen consoles are in the spotlight, there’s no doubt there’ll be support for the PS5 Pro. Plus, with next-gen consoles coming in a few years, there’s a good chance there’ll be next-gen support as well, with the more technically advanced versions running on beefed-up hardware.

As for how Nintendo fits into this, obviously don’t expect this game to run on the current Nintendo Switch, however it does seem like there’s a chance it could make it to the Switch’s successor. At least EA is open to the possibility.

“We have nothing to announce,” Zampella said, “but is there a world? Sure. We love (Nintendo) as a partner. They’ve been great to us. I love (Switch).”

When is the next Battlefield game? Timeline confirmed

In the next installment, Battlefield returns to the modern era. We don’t dwell on long-past wars like in BF1 or 1942, nor do we focus on the future like in 2042 or 2142. Instead, the game takes place in the present day, and the weapons and technology are still available today.

“If we look back at the peak years of the Battlefield series, it was the era of Battlefield 3 and Battlefield 4, when everything was cutting-edge,” Zampella said.

“I think we need to get back to the core of what Battlefield is and do it amazingly well, and then we’ll see what comes of it.”

Gameplay details

While it’s still early days, meaning a lot could change as we go along, we do have some initial gameplay details to go over. From possible modes to the return of the typical class system, there’s a lot to be excited about.

Zampella emphasized that the heart of it all is promoting the fun factor of the game at every turn. “We’re testing everything around what’s most fun. We’re designing something that’s more like the Battlefields of old.”

That means larger maps with massive lobbies for 128 players are out. The next Battlefield game focuses on 64-player matches with more focused map layouts.

“I prefer to have nice, dense, well-designed play spaces,” Zampella said.

What’s more, we know for sure that Specialists have been thrown in the bin. With the controversial 2042 pivot now gone, we’re poised to return to the classic class system from earlier Battlefield games.

“I wasn’t there in 2042. I don’t know what the reasons were, but for me it’s like the team tried something new. You have to appreciate the effort. Not everyone likes it, but (you have to) try different things.

“It didn’t work. It didn’t fit. Specialists aren’t coming back. Classes are kind of the heart of Battlefield, we’re going back to that.”

Funnily enough, we know that we should also expect a fully functional leaderboard on launch day this time around.

The second Battlefield I’m working on! And I’m sticking to the classic recipe. Battlefield 3 and 4 had a leaderboard at launch, right? https://t.co/2oEL8meGIG

— Kemal Akay (@kemalakay) September 16, 2024

On a more obscure note, the developer has hinted that the next Battlefield will feature more than just a traditional multiplayer offering. It sounds similar to how Fortnite recently pivoted into a more standalone platform offering a variety of gameplay experiences, and Zampella seems eager to replicate that with EA’s FPS series.

“When you want a different experience, you don’t have to leave Battlefield. That’s why we’re expanding what we offer.”

From another spin on the Battle Royale formula to a second attempt at an extraction shooter, anything is possible. We’ll just have to wait and see what experiences EA has in store.

Beyond that, we know that EA is building a new studio in Seattle to focus solely on narrative content for the Battlefield series. It’s safe to expect some degree of narrative-driven gameplay in the next release, though whether it’ll be a full campaign or more short missions remains to be seen.

Meanwhile, another separate studio, Ripple Effect, the team behind 2024’s Portal mode, is working on a new “Battlefield experience” set in the 2042 universe. It’s unclear exactly where that fits into the equation.

There’s clearly a lot to look forward to as the next Battlefield game slowly comes into focus. We’ve still got a long way to go before the full release, but rest assured we’ll keep you posted here as any further details emerge in the coming months.