For the first time since 2021, new installments in the popular first-person shooter franchises, Call of Duty and Battlefield, are releasing in the same year, inevitably sparking comparisons. While the Battlefield 6 open beta has generated largely positive feedback and appears promising, experts like Rhys Elliott of Alinea Analytics believe it`s unlikely to surpass Call of Duty in sales this year. Call of Duty maintains an immense and loyal audience that annually purchases new releases, regardless of competitor quality.
Battlefield 6 developers are drawing inspiration from beloved past titles like Battlefield 3 and 4. This direction has been well-received by players who were disappointed with Battlefield 2042`s departure from the class system and its problematic launch. Battlefield 6`s return to proven mechanics has garnered approval, with its open beta reportedly attracting around 20 million players and generating predominantly positive sentiment.
Even if Battlefield 6 achieves high ratings and strong sales, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 is expected to remain the market leader due to its massive brand and inertia. Elliott describes Call of Duty as an “annual ritual” for tens of millions of players, many of whom make “autopilot purchases,” making it difficult for a single Battlefield release to alter this entrenched habit.
The Enduring Popularity of Call of Duty
While Battlefield 6 might appeal more to the “hardcore FPS crowd,” Call of Duty consistently attracts a massive casual audience. Elliott notes that the market`s “muscle memory” for Call of Duty is so strong that players buy it annually even amidst complaints. Furthermore, persistent cross-promotion through Call of Duty: Warzone, integrated into the CoD HQ launcher, provides huge advantages that Battlefield currently lacks. Although Battlefield Studios is developing its own battle royale, its impact remains to be seen.
Historical data indicates that Call of Duty`s minimum sales often exceed Battlefield`s maximum sales. For example, even the unpopular Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare (2016) sold millions more copies than the highly-rated Battlefield 1, illustrating potent brand inertia.
Game Pass and Market Dynamics
Kade Barr of Wedbush Securities points out that Black Ops 7`s inclusion in Game Pass (while Battlefield 6 will be sold separately and through the smaller EA Play Pro service) complicates direct sales comparisons. However, Barr suggests that Game Pass could even benefit Battlefield 6: players not spending $70 on Call of Duty might have more funds available for other games, such as Battlefield. Wedbush projects Battlefield 6 to become the second or third best-selling game in the Battlefield series. Nevertheless, Barr emphasizes that a stable launch is critically important for Battlefield 6`s success, especially after the troubled release of Battlefield 2042.
Historical Sales Data
An analysis of past years reveals that Call of Duty has consistently outpaced Battlefield in sales. In 2021, Call of Duty: Vanguard was the top-selling game, while Battlefield 2042 ranked fifth. Even when Battlefield games received critical acclaim, Call of Duty maintained its leading position. Battlefield titles have never climbed higher than second place in the annual US sales charts.
The “Boot Stomp” Debate
Former Xbox executive Mike Ybarra recently predicted that Battlefield 6 would “boot stomp” Call of Duty this year, citing declining interest in CoD due to “wacky skins” and a perceived deviation from its core principles. While negative comments about Call of Duty are common online (often amplified by algorithms), sales figures consistently demonstrate CoD`s dominance. Nevertheless, Activision has listened to fans, canceling the “Carry Forward” program for Black Ops 7 (meaning unusual skins from BO6 will not transfer) and acknowledging players` desire for a more “grounded” experience. Elliott reacted skeptically to Ybarra`s prediction. Ybarra`s comments, however, might suggest that increased competition from a fan-focused Battlefield could encourage Activision to deliver a higher-quality Call of Duty product. The creative director for Black Ops 7, in turn, noted that he played the Battlefield 6 beta and enjoyed it, emphasizing a generally positive spirit within the FPS genre.