Reflecting on EA's 2020 Battlefield Delay Announcement

As a professional gamer, I still vividly remember the buzz in 2020 when EA dropped that bombshell about the next Battlefield game. 😅 Back then, everyone was hyped for the PS5 and Xbox Series X launches, and we all assumed a new Battlefield would be the perfect holiday companion. But nope! EA crushed those dreams in their Q2 earnings report, confirming that the next installment wouldn't hit shelves until fiscal year 2022. That meant we had to wait until at least April 2021, with a window stretching all the way to March 2022. Talk about a long haul! I was glued to my screen, refreshing forums for updates, and the disappointment in the community was real—especially since Battlefield V had just come out in November 2018, and before that, Battlefield 1 in October 2016. With that two-year pattern, 2020 seemed like a sure bet, but EA decided to give DICE more breathing room.

Why the delay, you ask? Well, looking back, it totally made sense. DICE had a rocky track record with launches this gen. Only Battlefield 1 managed a smooth debut—remember how polished it felt? But Battlefield 4 in 2013 was a hot mess at release, plagued with bugs and server crashes. And Battlefield V? Oof, it was even worse, with glitches galore and a lukewarm reception. EA clearly learned from those mistakes, prioritizing polish over rushing it out. As a fan, I appreciated that shift, even if it meant biting my nails for another year. 🎮

To put it in perspective, here's a quick rundown of the franchise's recent timeline:

• Battlefield 1: Launched October 2016 – mostly stable, a fan favorite!

• Battlefield 4: Released 2013 – infamous for its launch issues, like game-breaking bugs. 😢

• Battlefield V: Dropped November 2018 – faced even more problems, from unbalanced gameplay to connectivity woes.

This delay wasn't just about avoiding another disaster; it was a strategic move to ensure quality. I recall chatting with fellow players on Discord, and we all agreed: better a delayed gem than a broken mess. And hey, while we waited, EA kept us busy with Battlefield V's updates. That week, they rolled out fresh content based on the Pacific theatre of WWII—think lush jungles, intense naval battles, and new weapons. It was a nice holdover, keeping the game alive while DICE cooked up something big. Can't forget those epic moments diving into those maps!

Fast-forward to now in 2025, and reflecting on that announcement feels nostalgic. That extra development time paid off big time, as the next game arrived right in that FY2022 window, bringing a whole new level of immersion. But back in 2020, the anticipation was palpable. We were all speculating on forums: Would it be a modern setting? A return to historical battles? EA kept details under wraps, fueling endless theories. As a pro gamer, I spent hours streaming and dissecting every rumor, and the community's patience was truly tested. Here's a comparison of how the releases stacked up:

Game	Release Date	Major Issues at Launch
Battlefield 4	2013	Severe bugs, server crashes
Battlefield 1	2016	Minimal problems, smooth launch
Battlefield V	2018	Widespread glitches, poor balance
Next Battlefield	FY2022	Polished and refined, worth the wait

In the end, that delay taught us a valuable lesson in the gaming world: Rushing games only leads to frustration, while taking time can create masterpieces. I'm glad EA stuck to their guns, even if it meant skipping the console launch hype. What about you? Did you hold out hope or jump to other titles? Share your thoughts below! 🔥 And for those who missed it, here's a throwback to the hype: Let's keep gaming strong! 💪