EA Delays Battlefield to Avoid GTA 6 Clash

2025 is shaping up to be an epic year for triple-A video game releases. Not only are we expecting the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 and its exclusive titles, but we're also looking forward to major releases like *Borderlands 4*, *Mafia: The Old Country*, and *Ghost of Yōtei*. And, of course, there's the annual blockbuster from Activision, the next *Call of Duty*, likely slated for an October or November release.

However, the game that's on everyone's radar is Rockstar's highly anticipated *Grand Theft Auto 6*, scheduled for a fall 2025 release on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S. While Take-Two Interactive is holding firm to this timeline, there's always the possibility of a delay. This uncertainty, combined with the crowded field of other major releases, poses a challenge for EA's *Battlefield*, which is set to launch within EA's fiscal year 2026, ending April 2026.

EA CEO Andrew Wilson has acknowledged the competitive landscape in a recent financial call, hinting that the company might consider delaying *Battlefield* if necessary. "Certainly, we exist in a competitive marketplace," Wilson stated, emphasizing the significant investment EA has made in this upcoming *Battlefield* title, involving four studios and aiming to create the biggest *Battlefield* yet. He added, "We're looking for this to be the biggest Battlefield we've ever made. And we of course want to make sure that we launch that into a window where we can deliver on the fullness of the promise of what Battlefield can be and grow the community to a level that is commensurate with the size of the game that we're making."

Wilson further noted the unique dynamics of 2025, suggesting that the company might adjust its launch timing if the competitive environment demands it. "There may be some things happening in the year that may cause us to think differently about our launch timing," he explained, indicating flexibility in their approach to ensure the best possible launch window for *Battlefield*.

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Assuming *Battlefield* targets a November 2025 release, aligning with previous entries like *Battlefield 2042* and *Battlefield 5*, the timing could coincide with *GTA 6*'s launch. If that happens, EA might opt to delay *Battlefield* to the first quarter of 2026, still within their fiscal year. Alternatively, if EA initially plans for a Q1 2026 release and *GTA 6* faces a delay to the same period, EA could consider moving *Battlefield* forward or even out of the fiscal year into 2027, a significant but possible move according to Wilson's comments.

The entire gaming industry is on tenterhooks, waiting for Rockstar to confirm the *GTA 6* release date. Once that's announced, whether it sticks to fall 2025 or shifts to 2026, other publishers like EA will be able to finalize their own release strategies accordingly.