EA Plans to Make Battlefield an Annual Franchise Like Call of Duty

Electronic Arts (EA) seems to be gearing up for a major shift with its Battlefield franchise, as the company reportedly wants to turn it into an annual series much like Call of Duty.

While this won’t happen overnight, EA is said to be laying the foundation for a long-term plan that could completely change how Battlefield is released.

The update comes from securities analyst Michael Pachter, who shared insights from a recent conversation with Byron Beede, the executive currently running the Battlefield franchise under Respawn’s Vince Zampella.

According to Pachter, EA’s vision is to set up a system where three studios rotate development, ensuring a new Battlefield title hits the market every year. This mirrors Activision's model for Call of Duty, where studios like Treyarch, Infinity Ward, and Sledgehammer Games took turns developing the game annually.

But don’t expect this right away. Pachter noted that it could take at least five to six years before we see Battlefield on a true yearly cycle.

Right now, Battlefield operates on a three-year release schedule, with DICE and supporting teams working on each entry. If EA sticks to its current roadmap, the next mainline installment, potentially Battlefield 7, could arrive by 2028.

Pachter also pointed out that EA may be playing catch-up, saying, “They should have done that 15 years ago. They told everyone they wanted to catch up to Call of Duty, and they’re finally doing it.”