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EA’s Reported Plan to Annualise Battlefield
Electronic Arts (EA) is rumoured to be preparing one of the boldest shifts in the history of its flagship shooter franchise, Battlefield. According to industry analyst Michael Pachter, the publisher is considering moving to an annual release cycle, mirroring the approach of Activision’s Call of Duty series.
Traditionally, EA’s shooters have launched with longer development cycles, supported by live-service updates that extend their life span. An annualised model would mark a radical change, potentially reshaping how DICE and other EA studios structure their work. Reports suggest this shift could begin to take shape within the next five to six years.
Why EA May Be Following Call of Duty’s Example
The logic behind the move is straightforward: Call of Duty’s financial model continues to generate billions in yearly revenue. EA appears eager to replicate this success by keeping Battlefield consistently in the spotlight rather than relying on sporadic releases.
The speculation follows the positive reception of the Battlefield 6 beta, which reignited excitement after the troubled launch of Battlefield 2042. With renewed momentum, EA may see an opportunity to capitalise on fan interest and establish the franchise as a direct rival to Call of Duty in both visibility and revenue.
Challenges Facing an Annual Offering
While the potential financial upside is obvious, challenges abound. Unlike Call of Duty, which maintains its pace by rotating development across multiple studios like Infinity Ward and Treyarch, Battlefield has historically relied more heavily on a smaller number of core developers.
To achieve annual releases, EA would likely need to restructure its studio ecosystem, perhaps expanding development resources or creating multiple teams dedicated to different sub-projects. Without these changes, concerns about rushed production, smaller maps, or unpolished gameplay could easily resurface — issues that previously hurt Battlefield 2042.
What This Means for the FPS Rivalry
If the rumours hold true, the FPS genre could be on the verge of its most intense rivalry yet. Call of Duty looks to have Black Ops 7 locked for a November release across PlayStation, Xbox, and PC — with a Nintendo Switch 2 version reportedly in development. For Battlefield to meet this pace, EA will need to strike a delicate balance between quality and quantity.
For fans, the prospect of two juggernaut shooters launching head-to-head every year is both exciting and concerning. It could push innovation forward, but also risk franchise fatigue. Either way, the competition will be fierce, and the industry is watching closely to see if EA can deliver.
