Battlefield 6 Gears Up for a Major Launch
As the gaming world watches the ongoing discussions around Electronic Arts' potential acquisition, the spotlight remains firmly on the upcoming clash between two giant shooter franchises: Battlefield 6 and Call of Duty: Black Ops 7. Industry publication The Game Business recently compiled data from various analytical agencies, assessing Battlefield's chances against its perennial rival, Call of Duty.
According to analysis from agencies like Ampere, Newzoo, and Circana, pre-release interest in the new Battlefield title has far exceeded expectations. The game's beta attracted over 20 million players, and its wishlist count on Steam has surpassed 2.4 million—a figure three times higher than that for the upcoming Call of Duty. While Call of Duty remains a consistent bestseller with a massive player base, its annual release schedule often makes it harder to gauge specific interest levels for each new installment.
In contrast, Battlefield 6 is building significant momentum. Analysts are predicting 5 million sales in its first week alone, with excitement continuing to grow as the October 10th release date approaches. A successful launch could potentially impact Call of Duty's sales, especially since it is scheduled to release more than a month after its competitor.
Different Approaches to Combat
While both games are military shooters, their core gameplay philosophies differ significantly. Battlefield traditionally emphasizes large-scale maps, vehicle combat, and team-focused objective play. Call of Duty, on the other hand, is known for its fast-paced, dynamic engagements in tighter arenas. While the new Battlefield may incorporate some elements that resonate with Call of Duty players, analysts believe it's unlikely to fully replace the familiar experience for dedicated fans of the latter.
Battlefield and Call of Duty: A Historical Perspective
Data from Circana, covering January 1995 to July 2025, positions the Battlefield franchise at 16th among the biggest game series in U.S. history by full game dollar sales. It ranks below Need for Speed but ahead of The Sims, with Call of Duty consistently holding the top spot.
Battlefield 1, released in 2016, marked the franchise's most successful U.S. launch, slightly outperforming Battlefield 4. Battlefield 1 claimed the second spot in annual sales that year, only behind Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare. However, Battlefield V in 2018 dropped to 16th place in the U.S. In 2021, Battlefield 2042 achieved a better ranking at 5th, though it still trailed two Call of Duty titles: Vanguard (1st place) and Black Ops Cold War (3rd place).
The Call of Duty franchise was the best-selling series in the U.S. for 2024, marking its 16th consecutive year at the top. While individual titles like Grand Theft Auto V, Red Dead Redemption 2, and Hogwarts Legacy have occasionally taken the top spot for a single year, Call of Duty's combined sales across multiple titles consistently lead the market.
Circana's data clearly illustrates that while Battlefield has had moments near the top, Call of Duty remains the dominant force in the American market.
Current European Market Snapshot
The Game Business also shared recent weekly sales charts from over 20 European countries, including the UK, Germany, France, Spain, and Russia. These charts provide a broader look at the current gaming landscape:
Top 10 Games by Units Sold:
- EA Sports FC 26
- Borderlands 4
- Grand Theft Auto V
- Hogwarts Legacy
- NBA 2K26
- Red Dead Redemption 2
- skate.
- Grand Theft Auto Online
- Assassin’s Creed Shadows
- Mario Kart World
Top 10 Games by Revenue:
- EA Sports FC 26
- Borderlands 4
- NBA 2K26
- Mario Kart World
- skate.
- Assassin’s Creed Shadows
- Grand Theft Auto V
- Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater
- Red Dead Redemption 2
- Hogwarts Legacy
The strong pre-release indicators for Battlefield 6 suggest a potentially impactful launch. While Call of Duty maintains its historical stronghold, the enthusiasm surrounding the new Battlefield could make this fall's shooter season one of the most competitive in recent memory for players globally.
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