2025 is shaping up to be an epic year for triple-A video games, with a packed lineup that includes the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 and its exclusive titles. The year will also see major releases like Borderlands 4, Mafia: The Old Country, and Ghost of Yōtei. And let's not forget the annual tradition: Activision's new Call of Duty, likely set for an October or November release.

However, the real heavyweight contender is Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto 6, slated for a fall 2025 release on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S. Despite Take-Two's commitment to the fall 2025 window, there's always a possibility of a delay. This uncertainty, combined with the release of other major titles, puts EA's Battlefield in a challenging position.

EA has scheduled the next Battlefield for its 2026 fiscal year, which means a release before April 2026. This timing puts it right in the thick of GTA 6 territory, not to mention potential competition from Call of Duty and Borderlands 4. So, how much does EA need to consider the release dates of competing games when deciding on the launch of Battlefield?

Quite a bit, according to EA CEO Andrew Wilson, who acknowledged the competitive landscape during a recent financial call. He even suggested that EA might delay Battlefield if necessary.

“Certainly, we exist in a competitive marketplace,” Wilson said. “I've been fortunate to be with this company for 25 years, and we've always managed to compete effectively with our great franchises.

“However, we've invested more in this Battlefield than any before. With four studios and ample time, we're aiming to make this the biggest Battlefield yet. We want to ensure that we launch into a window where we can fully realize the potential of Battlefield and grow our community to match the game's ambition.

“This year might be unique due to the competition. There could be developments that prompt us to reconsider our launch timing. Our target is an FY 26 launch window, and we believe the game will be ready. But if we approach that window and feel it's not ideal, we'll explore alternative timing to give Battlefield the best chance at success.”

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51 ImagesAs it stands, the new Battlefield is set to release before April 2026. Suppose it's slated for November 2025, following the release pattern of Battlefield 2042 (November 2021) and Battlefield 5 (November 2018). If GTA 6 launches around the same time, EA might push Battlefield to the first quarter of 2026, still within its fiscal year.

But what if EA plans to release Battlefield in Q1 2026, and then Rockstar delays GTA 6 to Q1 2026? Could EA move Battlefield forward? Or might they delay it further, pushing it out of the fiscal year? Based on Wilson's comments, EA seems prepared for such scenarios.

It's clear why EA, and many other third-party publishers, are anxiously awaiting Rockstar's announcement of the GTA 6 release date. Once that's public, whether it's for fall 2025 as planned or delayed into 2026, the rest of the industry's puzzle pieces will likely fall into place.