Though Call of Duty is undoubtedly the FPS genre’s biggest franchise, it regularly contends with other games that attempt to take its crown. Its most consistent competitor, EA and DICE’s Battlefield franchise, is aiming to make a triumphant return with Battlefield 6. Set to release in October, the game will feature nine maps at launch, eight different game modes, and will eventually be joined by a new version of BF5’s Firestorm battle royale mode. While Battlefield fans are rejoicing because it seems like DICE has heard the community’s feedback after 2042’s messy launch - the return of classes, a focus on immersion within a truly modern setting, and refined destruction are all points of praise - it’s been rumored that the forces behind Call of Duty are nervous. And after Battlefield 6’s multiplayer reveal, it’s clear to see why.
Battlefield 6 can’t Beat Call of Duty if Leaked Detail is True
Battleifeld 6 has already lost the battle against Call of Duty if one specific leaked detail turns out to be true.
Call of Duty’s Concern Likely Stems From These Key Areas
While it may seem surprising to hear that a juggernaut like Call of Duty is nervous about an upcoming shooter, this claim comes from credible leaker @TheGhostofHope, who has been proven consistently right when it comes to their other Call of Duty info. The day prior to Battlefield 6’s big multiplayer event, Hope mentioned that DICE's new game has gotten “Call of Duty actually worried for once.” And when considering what was shown, it’s no surprise that CoD is nervous, as proper competition between the two franchises may soon be re-ignited.
Though there have been minor complaints that need to be addressed, like parachute movement speed, the grenade-throwing animation, and weapon sounds, so much of what was shown for Battlefield 6 makes it a viable alternative to the upcoming Black Ops 7. This includes:
- Faster-paced gunplay shown off by content creators known for Call of Duty content, such as MrRoflWaffles and TimTheTatman.
- An upcoming Battlefield battle royale mode that can compete directly with Call of Duty: Warzone (though Hope mentioned that this was not the thing that has CoD sweating in a separate post)
- The new version of Battlefield Portal, which is essentially a map editor like Halo’s Forge, is something that can provide access to an endless amount of content.
- Infantry-only maps at launch. Though vehicles are still key to BF6 and will be present on a majority of maps, those looking for boots-on-the-ground gunplay only will have options. Small modes like Squad Deathmatch and Domination will also appeal to CoD fans.
- A current-gen only game that makes full use of modern hardware, which Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 will not be able to do since it’s a cross-gen title.
- An October release date, meaning Battlefield 6 will likely debut weeks before Black Ops 7. If fans are happy with the game, they may not see the need to buy the next CoD.
Of these points, one of the biggest to consider is that Battlefield 6 is beating Call of Duty to a multiplayer map editor. Fans have been asking for this for years, especially after seeing what PC’s CoD Zombies community has done with custom maps. Unfortunately, despite so many requests, no such feature has been added. It’s also worth noting just how many big creators - including CoD YouTubers and Twitch streamers - were at the event, as DICE and EA made sure that disenfranchised CoD fans would see their favorite celebrities enjoying their time with the competition.
Beyond all of these points is the fact that Battlefield 6 is the antithesis to Call of Duty’s recent output of over-the-top skins. For the foreseeable feature, every cosmetic will have a mil-sim vibe. While this can obviously change down the road, for now, it’s a massive win for players tired of fighting Beavis and Butthead or Nicki Minaj while playing an FPS. Call of Duty players who despise colorful character skins have been increasingly vocal in recent years, and by doubling down on immersion and realism, Battlefield is essentially appealing directly to that audience.
All of these traits, in addition to BF6 simply looking like a stunning military shooter thanks to its destruction and graphics, make it something that Call of Duty has to properly watch out for. With Battlefield 6 giving unhappy CoD fans exactly what they want, from more restricted movement to grounded appearances for their soldiers, Call of Duty may soon have to examine its approach. Perhaps this leads to community-requested additions like a mil-sim skin toggle or a map editor, or maybe Call of Duty keeps progressing in its current direction, letting Battlefield have the players who have grown tired of the modern CoD model. Regardless, @TheGhostOfHope’s claim that Call of Duty is nervous about Battlefield 6 is easy to believe, as the game is shaping up to be exactly what die-hard Battlefield fans - and lapsed CoD players - have been looking for.
Battlefield 6
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 83 /100 Critics Rec: 90%
- Released
- October 10, 2025
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language, In-App Purchases, Users Interact
- Developer(s)
- Battlefield Studios
- Publisher(s)
- EA
