Electronic Arts had a rough day of news yesterday, but Battlefield fans can breathe a little easier. In the same internal memo that confirmed the closure of BioWare, EA made it clear that more Battlefield games are on the way.
The memo, titled "Building EA's Next Chapter," was shared publicly on EA's website. It lays out the company's new priorities, along with the projects it is cutting, pausing, and keeping. Shooters came out of it looking very healthy.
What EA Said About Battlefield
EA called Battlefield 6 a hit and said it plans to build on what it learned from the game's launch and live service. "In our Shooters business, Battlefield 6 was a great success, and we learned a lot from the launch and the live service," the memo reads.
It continues: "In addition to our future Battlefield titles, we'll be bringing together our Respawn and DICE studios to collaborate on a future project that will help us achieve that ambition. We can't wait to share more when the time comes."
That line confirms two things. First, EA has more Battlefield games planned. Second, DICE and Respawn Entertainment are teaming up on a new shooter project. EA also said it will keep investing heavily in Apex Legends over the next few years, with brand-new multiplayer modes and other experiences planned.
Bloomberg's Jason Schreier also reported that the company plans to continue the Battlefield franchise, according to Insider Gaming.
Is The DICE And Respawn Project A New Battlefront?
EA has not said what the DICE and Respawn project is. However, according to reports following Bloomberg's story, the two studios are working on a new Star Wars Battlefront game. That would be the first new entry in the series since Star Wars Battlefront II in 2017.
Until EA or Lucasfilm Games confirms it, this should be treated as a rumor. It would make a lot of sense, though. DICE developed both modern Battlefront games, while Respawn has experience with Star Wars through the Jedi series, and fans have been asking for a third Battlefront for years.
Insider Gaming has also previously reported that the next Battlefield game is already in early development. EA has not shared any details about the next entry yet, so that report is unconfirmed for now.
Battlefield 6 Is Still Going Strong
In the meantime, Battlefield 6 is still getting new content. The game is in Season 5, Siege of Vegas, which kicked off with new maps, weapons, modes, and cosmetics. Earlier this week, a Dead Space crossover event landed in both Battlefield 6 and REDSEC, bringing the Marker, the Pulse Rifle, and hordes of Marked Soldiers to Area 51.
The Rest Of EA's Changes
The good news for Battlefield came alongside a lot of bad news. EA is laying off around 400 people, roughly three percent of the company, according to reports. BioWare's small team working on early development for the next Mass Effect is being shut down, and EA is closing the studio and its Edmonton workspace. EA said it does not take the decision lightly, calling BioWare "a legendary studio that helped define the role-playing genre."
Here is what else the memo confirmed:
- Marvel's Iron Man and the next Star Wars Jedi game are still coming.
- EA will focus on fewer large-scale action-adventure projects at the same time.
- EA Sports has two new projects in development: an open-world American football experience called "Project Gridiron" and a new Fight Night, which is in pre-production.
- Development on The Sims "Project Lotus" is being paused so the team can focus on "Project Evergreen."
- The skate. team is being changed into a smaller, more focused team.
EA said it will share more about its direction at its next Global Town Hall in November. Hopefully, that includes a first look at what DICE and Respawn are making together.
Would you rather see DICE and Respawn make a new Battlefront, or put everything into the next Battlefield?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.