‘Call Of Duty’ rivalry with ‘Battlefield’ is heating up

Call Of Duty’s rivalry with Battlefield is heating up with Black Ops 6 going free-to-play at the same time that Battlefield 6 launches.

After a hugely successful beta event, Battlefield 6 is due to launch this Friday (October 10) and EA has already confirmed the game’s season one will begin October 28. Meanwhile Call Of Duty: Black Ops 7 will be released November 14.

However, Call Of Duty has announced that last year’s Black Ops 6 will be going free-to-play for a limited-time. Starting October 9 until October 16, players will be able to access ‘Zombies’, ‘Multiplayer’ and, for the first time in a trial, the ‘Campaign’ game modes. 

A Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Free Trial has been announced, available Oct 9 through Oct 16.

The Trial, for the first time ever, includes full access to play the Black Ops 6 Campaign, too, alongside MP and Zombies. pic.twitter.com/ckwJmYSIJm

— CharlieIntel (@charlieINTEL) October 7, 2025

“Hmmmm…. must be a coincidence that it lines up with the Battlefield 6 release date,” one fan wrote on Reddit following the news. “This is why competition is a good thing, lads,” said another. 

Activision has also extended the Black Ops 7 beta. The early access trial for the game had been due to finish today (October 8) but will now continue until the day before Battlefield 6 launches.

🚨 Black Ops 7 Beta EXTENDED 🚨

The BO7 beta has been extended and won’t be ending until 9 AM PT Thursday, October 9th.

Also the map Toshin is now live and available to play! pic.twitter.com/hp3H8Thwei

— ModernWarzone (@ModernWarzone) October 6, 2025

Earlier this year, Battlefield released a star-studded trailer that poked fun at Call Of Duty’s controversial celebrity skins. In the live-action clip, Hollywood heavyweight Zac Efron, UFC fighter Paddy Pimblett, professional basketball player Jimmy Butler and country singer Morgan Wallen began to lead a Battlefield 6 campaign before being swiftly blown up and replaced by regular soldiers. 

It comes after Battlefield 6’s design director Shashank Uchil said the game had to be grounded. “That is what Battlefield 3 and Battlefield 4 was. It was all soldiers on the ground. I don’t think it needs Nicki Minaj,” he added. “Let’s keep it real.”

Meanwhile Call Of Duty developers have already made several huge changes to Black Ops 7 after backlash from players in the beta test. Skill-based matchmaking has been drastically altered for the first time in six years and unrealistic skins will be left out of the game’s ‘Carry Forward’ feature after collabs with Family Guy, Squid Game and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles divided the fanbase. 

“We know there’s been a lot of conversation recently about the identity of Call Of Duty. Some of you have said we’ve drifted from what made Call Of Duty unique in the first place: immersive, intense, visceral and in many ways grounded. That feedback hits home, and we take it seriously. We hear you,” said developers. Some COD fans aren’t impressed with the message though due to a very similar statement being shared ahead of Black Ops 6. 

In other news, Skate has confirmed the 21 new songs that have joined the soundtrack as part of the season one update.