With new entries in both the Call of Duty and Battlefield series launching in the same year for the first time since 2021, the long-standing rivalry between these popular multiplayer first-person shooters has naturally reignited discussions and comparisons.
Initial reactions to Battlefield 6`s open beta indicate a potential success for Electronic Arts and Battlefield Studios. However, experts believe Battlefield 6 will struggle to surpass Call of Duty this year, despite less enthusiastic public sentiment surrounding Black Ops 7. Although EA aims to capture a portion of Call of Duty`s market, Call of Duty is expected to maintain its position as the leading paid first-person shooter franchise.
Rhys Elliott from Alinea Analytics stated that “While Battlefield 6 has the potential to achieve unprecedented financial and critical success for the series, it is almost certain it will not outsell Call of Duty.”
Elliott explained that Call of Duty benefits from a loyal annual fanbase, a trend unlikely to shift in 2025 “simply because Battlefield 6 is impressive and performing exceptionally well in early metrics.”
Vince Zampella, head of Battlefield at EA and a former Call of Duty executive, alongside Battlefield GM Byron Beede (also a former CoD leader), confirmed that Battlefield 6 draws inspiration from revered titles like Battlefield 3 and 4. This approach resonates with fans eager for the series to revert to its roots after the perceived missteps of Battlefield 2042.
The previous Battlefield installment departed from the core formula, notably replacing the class system with specialist characters possessing unique abilities. Its launch was notoriously problematic, alienating many veteran players. Battlefield 6, conversely, signals a return to traditional mechanics, garnering positive player feedback thus far.
Essentially, EA and Battlefield Studios seem to be making strategic moves to revitalize the Battlefield franchise. The recent Battlefield 6 open beta attracted an estimated 20 million players, and despite some criticisms regarding Rush mode and map dimensions, overall sentiment was overwhelmingly positive.
Nonetheless, even if Battlefield 6 receives strong reviews, favorable fan reception, and impressive sales figures, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 is predicted to maintain its leading position due to the immense scale, scope, and enduring momentum of the Call of Duty brand.
Elliott elaborated, saying, “For a vast number of gamers, Call of Duty is an ingrained annual tradition. Millions of players, including many casual enthusiasts, purchase the latest CoD title yearly without second thought. This `automatic purchase` behavior is deeply established over decades, and it will take more than a single exceptional Battlefield game to disrupt it.”
Call of Duty`s Enduring Popularity Despite Criticisms
While Battlefield 6 might attract the `hardcore FPS community,` Elliott noted that the vast casual player base consistently gravitates towards Call of Duty annually, a pattern he believes will persist.
He added that “Call of Duty’s market inertia is so profound that players will purchase it even while voicing complaints.”
A significant factor supporting Call of Duty`s annual releases is its ongoing battle royale component, Call of Duty: Warzone, integrated within the Call of Duty HQ launcher alongside each new title. Elliott highlighted this as crucial, explaining that even with a slight dip in Warzone engagement, its enormous player base consistently encounters advertisements for Black Ops 7 upon logging in.
Elliott commented, “Battlefield simply lacks that extensive level of cross-promotional reach.”
Interestingly, Battlefield Studios is developing its own battle royale experience, though it`s in its nascent stages. Details on EA`s long-term strategy for its support, expansion, and promotion are currently undisclosed, and it remains uncertain whether it will be a standalone game, a mode, or an alternative format.
To further contextualize the discussion, Elliott presented data underscoring Call of Duty`s immense scale compared to Battlefield.
He explained, “Realistically, Call of Duty`s minimum sales volume typically exceeds Battlefield`s peak sales, at least for the current year. Even during Battlefield`s most successful period (Battlefield 1 in 2016), a widely criticized Call of Duty entry like Infinite Warfare still surpassed it by millions of units. This demonstrates the power of brand inertia.”
Game Pass Introduces Complexity to Sales Comparisons
Kade Barr, an equity research associate at Wedbush Securities, highlighted that comparing direct sales between Black Ops 7 (on Game Pass) and Battlefield 6 (purchase-only) is complex. (Battlefield 6 will be available through EA Play Pro, a smaller subscription service). Barr suggested that Black Ops 7`s Game Pass inclusion, while Battlefield 6 is not, might actually boost Battlefield 6`s performance.
Barr stated, “While Black Ops 7 is projected to attract more unique players in its inaugural year, actual sales for both games could be similar if their launches are seamless. There’s clear overlap between their player bases, but Call of Duty`s availability on Game Pass might provide an unexpected advantage for Battlefield. Since many Call of Duty players won`t pay the full $70 price, they might have disposable income to acquire other titles, such as Battlefield.”
Overall, Barr indicated that Wedbush predicts Battlefield 6 will rank as the second or third best-selling Battlefield title ever, following Battlefield 1 and 3. For Battlefield Studios to significantly challenge Call of Duty`s dominance in the premium FPS market, Barr emphasized the necessity of flawlessly executing the planned battle royale mode, effectively leveraging user-generated content from its Portal mode, and consistently delivering high-quality post-launch content.
Barr concluded, “Ultimately, Battlefield’s success depends on a stable launch. The anticipation is high, but even a hint of a buggy release will deter players. Given the eroded trust after Battlefield 2042, this game`s launch must be extraordinarily smooth. Any significant issues will likely lead to a substantial drop in sales.”
Historical Sales Performance
Looking back at 2021, the last year both franchises launched new titles concurrently, Call of Duty: Vanguard claimed the top spot as the best-selling game in the US, with 2020`s Black Ops Cold War following at number two. Battlefield 2042, by contrast, placed fifth in overall US sales for 2021, falling behind its direct competitor, the previous year`s Call of Duty, and other major titles like Madden NFL 22 and Pokemon Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl. Both EA and Activision acknowledged that their respective releases, Battlefield 2042 and Vanguard, underperformed against critical and commercial expectations.
In 2018, Battlefield V ranked 16th in the US, while Black Ops 4 secured the second spot. Similarly, 2016 saw Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare as the US`s top seller, with Battlefield 1 in second place. Battlefield 6 is considered a spiritual successor to the well-regarded Battlefield 3 and 4. When these beloved titles launched in 2011 and 2013, their respective Call of Duty counterparts achieved the number one position, with Battlefield 3 and 4 each reaching fourth place. Historically, no Battlefield game has ever surpassed the second position on the annual US sales charts.
As the year concludes, many will closely observe Battlefield 6`s chart performance, although sales figures alone may not fully encapsulate its impact.
Will Battlefield 6 “Boot Stomp” Black Ops 7?
Recently, Mike Ybarra, formerly an Xbox executive and now leading the sports betting firm Prize Picks, claimed on social media that “Battlefield will boot stomp CoD this year.” He attributed this to a perceived decline in Call of Duty`s public sentiment, influenced by Activision`s use of unusual licensed skins and other features not universally appreciated by fans.
While a significant amount of online discourse surrounding Call of Duty is negative, it prompts reflection on the true weight of such discussions, especially given that current algorithms often reward inflammatory content for engagement, and platforms like X directly compensate users for extreme viewpoints. Despite this critical online rhetoric, sales data consistently reveals Call of Duty`s formidable market presence. Although online feedback doesn`t always translate to immediate change, it sometimes does; Activision, for instance, recently cancelled the Carry Forward program for Black Ops 7, implying that the often-maligned outlandish skins from Black Ops 6 may not transfer. The company also stated its commitment to listening to fans who desire a more grounded Call of Duty experience, acknowledging concerns that the franchise has `drifted` from its fundamental identity.
In response to Ybarra`s statement, Elliott curtly advised, “Chill out, son.”
It`s important to note that Ybarra did not explicitly claim Battlefield 6 would outsell Black Ops 7. As a Microsoft veteran with 19 years of experience in Xbox development and publishing, he is likely well-informed about the comparative sales volumes of Call of Duty and Battlefield. His core argument was that Battlefield 6`s fan-centric design choices could foster healthier competition, potentially pushing Activision to improve Call of Duty, a development that would be welcomed by Call of Duty enthusiasts.
Activision`s associate creative director for Black Ops 7, Miles Leslie, was recently asked about Battlefield 6`s successful beta. He acknowledged playing it and finding it enjoyable, but emphasized his primary focus remains on his own project.
He concluded, “We are enthusiasts of the FPS genre. We appreciate many games. Ultimately, let`s all enjoy ourselves.”