Battlefield 2042 disappointed sales, but there’s some good news for those wondering if there will be another title after 2042. EA has revealed that the next Battlefield game is under development and is slated to be a “reimagination as a truly connected ecosystem.”
Battlefield is an iconic first-person shooter series, with its first release, Battlefield 1942, in 2002 and its latest, Battlefield 2042, in 2021. While BF2042 still has thousands of active players, it was a disaster when it launched. And since it’s been a while, it’s that time when people start wondering about the release date of a new Battlefield game. Here’s everything known in the form of leaks, rumors, and speculations about the next title in the franchise.
When is the next Battlefield game coming out?
While there is no official announcement about the next Battlefield game’s release date, some information from various sources confirms that the next title is being worked on.
After BF2042, the next game in the pipeline was Battlefield Mobile, slated to release in late 2022 to early 2023. Its open beta was already running in November 2022 in some countries. However, the mobile version was canceled along with Apex Legends Mobile in January 2023, and the studio working on it was shut down.
As per the co-founder of Industrial Toys, the studio behind Battlefield Mobile, “the failure of BF2042 played a role in the cancellation of the game and the closure of the studio.” He shared with mobilegamer.biz, “In the course of the last year, a few things happened. Battlefield 2042 came out, and the community reaction to 2042 was not good. That cascaded a bunch of introspection.”
After it was canceled, gamers were interested to know more about any new Battlefield game for PC and consoles.
During a Q&A session in May 2023 (via GamesRadar), EA CEO Andrew Wilson was asked about projects related to the Battlefield IP. He replied, “We don’t have any date announcements,” but he had “extraordinary confidence in that team and extraordinary confidence in the progress they’re making against the future of that franchise.” This confirms that the next Battlefield game is in development.
Wilson mentioned that more information will be revealed when it’s appropriate to share it and reassured that the BF series is “firmly implanted” in EA’s strategy.
He said, “Building games and experiences that attract and entertain massive online communities across platforms, across business models, across geographies. And we think that Battlefield is going to be a meaningful part of our future. We’ll share more as time progresses.”
Since Battlefield games typically have a 2 to 3-year development cycle, we might hear more about the next title in the franchise in 2024, and a release might be scheduled for 2025, as per fan speculations.
Which Studios are working on the Next Battlefield Game?
At least four studios are working on a new Battlefield – EA DICE, Ripple Effect, Ridgeline Games, and most recently, Criterion Games.
In September 2023, it was shared that Criterion Games will join EA Entertainment. Here’s the news from the official website.
“Criterion has a rich history in gaming, having worked on Battlefield, Battlefront, Burnout, and of course, Need for Speed. I’m thrilled to have a studio with such pedigree join the studios I oversee.
As we’ve said before, we’re all-in on Battlefield. Today, Criterion is added to our world-class Battlefield studios and is dedicated to ushering in a new era for the franchise. The majority of the team will be working alongside DICE, Ripple Effect, and Ridgeline which are led by Byron Beede, GM of Battlefield. Criterion’s experience with Battlefield, our technology and building engaging experiences will have an immediate positive impact as we continue to work on Battlefield 2042, and as we continue pre-production on a connected Battlefield Universe. There is no better studio to join us on this journey and I couldn’t be more excited.”
Next Battlefield Game Leaks and Rumors
There have been a few leaks and rumors, but take them with a grain of salt. Some suggest a return to a near-future or modern setting. Others hint at a focus on class-based gameplay, potentially moving away from the specialist system of 2042.
In Feb 2023, it was reported that Battlefield’s next single-player campaign is a big focus for EA DICE. The last game with a single-player campaign was 2018’s Battlefield V. Ridgeline Games a studio announced on September 8, 2022, to lead the development of a new narrative campaign set in the BF universe.
New Battlefield Game Era and Setting Speculation
Many fans expect a return to the classic formula, which often had a modern warfare setting. As AC Mirage returned to its roots, gamers expected something like Bad Company 2, Battlefield 3, and Battlefield 4. This era allows various weapons and vehicles, from assault rifles and tanks to drones and helicopters. It also offers lots of potential for global conflicts set in various environments.
While BF 2042 didn’t quite hit the mark, a near-future setting could still be thrilling. Advancements in technology could lead to mind-blowing weaponry and gadgets, like railguns, advanced drones, and even exo-suits.
Some rumors hint at DICE exploring entirely new settings for the next Battlefield. So, while details are scarce, the hype is building, even though the future of the BF franchise was uncertain after BF 2042.
