The next Battlefield game isn't coming until 2021, will take advantage of next-gen console hardware
We're not getting a new Battlefield game next year.
EA has announced that DICE is working on a new Battlefield game, but it won't arrive in the next calendar year as many expected. Instead, the next Battlefield title will ship in FY2022, which runs between April 2021 and March 2022.
EA did, however, confirm that Battlefield 5 will continue to receive new content in FY2021, meaning in the period covering April 2020 and March 2021.
The upcoming Battlefield title will take advantage of next-gen hardware, but EA also hinted that it may not be available on current-gen consoles. Indeed, part of why the game is coming in FY2022 as opposed to next FY is to allow next-gen consoles to build a big enough install base.
"Targeting new innovation that will be enabled by next-gen platforms and a growing install base on the new consoles, our next Battlefield game is set for FY2022," said CEO Andrew Wilson in a post-earnings call.
EA expects the game to lead company profits in FY2022, which could indicate it's building a bigger game than usual. Wilson also added the next Battlefield will be "doing things in the context of multi-play and social play and competition that Battlefields to this point have not done."
As for whether DICE has a new game next year, EA wouldn't say.