Electronic Arts is preparing a long-term restructuring of its Battlefield franchise, with the goal of turning the series into an annual release cycle similar to Call of Duty. The information comes from industry analyst Michael Pachter, who discussed the topic during his latest podcast after speaking with Byron Beede, the General Manager of Battlefield.
Beede, a former Activision executive who worked at Infinity Ward, reportedly told Pachter that EA intends to build an annualized development model by assigning the franchise across three studios, each working on a game over a three-year cycle. While the plan is in motion, Beede admitted that it will take time to reach full execution. According to him, fans should expect five to six years before EA can deliver two consecutive annual Battlefield titles.
Pachter compared this approach to Activision’s long-standing strategy with Call of Duty, which has operated under a similar multi-studio system since the late 2000s. “Their goal is three studios making Battlefield on a three-year basis, so they can get to Battlefield annually,” Pachter explained. “He said it’s going to take five or six years before they get two in a row, so we’re not going to get there for a while. But that’s their plan.”
The comparison highlights the uphill battle EA faces in replicating Call of Duty’s consistency. Despite the challenges, Pachter suggested the strategy should have been adopted years ago if EA was serious about competing. “They told everybody they want to catch up to Call of Duty. They’re finally doing it,” he said.
The stakes are high for the Battlefield series. Since its debut with Battlefield 1942 in 2002, the franchise has sold nearly 89 million copies worldwide as of late 2022. While the series is recognized for its large-scale multiplayer battles and combined arms gameplay, recent entries have struggled with mixed receptions and long content gaps between releases. By contrast, Activision’s Call of Duty remains the most successful first-person shooter franchise, with over 500 million copies sold and more than 100 million monthly active players as of 2023.
If EA successfully transitions Battlefield into an annualized franchise, it could reshape the competitive landscape of military shooters. However, with the timeline extending at least half a decade, fans will need to wait before they see whether the plan can match the sustained momentum of Call of Duty.
