The age-old rivalry between Battlefield and Call of Duty is heating up once again, but this time, the momentum seems to be shifting in a dramatic fashion. Fresh off the heels of a record-shattering open beta, DICE and Electronic Arts' Battlefield 6 is demonstrating a commercial pre-order advantage on Steam so significant that it has industry analysts questioning the long-held supremacy of Activision's Call of Duty.
For years, the military shooter crown has rested firmly on the head of the Call of Duty franchise. However, new market data suggests that Battlefield 6 is not just competing; it's poised to launch a legitimate coup.
Unprecedented Beta Hype Converts to Sales
The first undeniable signal of a shift came from the Battlefield 6 open beta. According to analytics firms Ampere and Newzoo, a staggering 22 to 25 million players dropped into the game's large-scale combat during the testing period. To put that into perspective, the peak daily player counts more than doubled the high marks set by the ill-fated Battlefield 2042 beta. Even when accounting for the longer testing window, the level of engagement was undeniably white-hot.
This massive player participation has now directly translated into pre-release sales. On the popular PC platform Steam, Battlefield 6 has accumulated an estimated 1.7 million pre-orders. Furthermore, a whopping 2.4 million users have wishlisted the title. Video Game Insights projects this wishlist number to be three times that of the upcoming Call of Duty: Black Ops 7.
This groundswell of PC support is a crucial early indicator. Ampere Analysis believes that if this momentum holds, Battlefield 6 could sell a monumental five million units by the end of its first week on the market.
The financial backing and strategic moves behind this launch are complex. For a deeper dive into the corporate strategy at play, this analysis of EA's recent business dealings provides excellent context.
The Uphill Battle: Challenging 16 Years of Dominance
Of course, declaring victory before the official October 16th release date would be premature. To claim the military shooter crown, Battlefield 6 must overcome a titan. The Call of Duty series is in the midst of a 16-year streak as the best-selling game franchise annually—a record of dominance rarely seen in the entertainment industry.
The last time Battlefield came close was in 2016, when the critically acclaimed Battlefield 1 finished a respectable second behind Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare in U.S. revenue. In most other years, the gap between the two rival shooters has been a chasm. The fan reaction to the modern setting of Battlefield 6 has been a key driver of this renewed optimism, with community hubs like @BFBulletin on X (formerly Twitter) buzzing with positive sentiment and clips showcasing the game's potential.
The Full Picture: Why Steam Numbers Are Only Part of the Story
While the Steam data is impressive, it’s crucial to recognize that it provides only a partial snapshot of the battlefield. Both Battlefield and Call of Duty have historically massive and loyal console followings, particularly on PlayStation and Xbox, where direct pre-order data is not publicly available.
Furthermore, the PC landscape itself is fragmented. Both franchises are pushing their own launchers—the EA App for Battlefield and the COD HQ for Call of Duty—which siphon off a significant portion of the player base from Steam. Epic Games Store is another variable that can skew the total PC numbers.
Another wild card is the subscription service model. Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 will be available on day one through Xbox Game Pass. While this guarantees a huge initial player count, it's a double-edged sword. Microsoft's recent price hikes for Game Pass, particularly moving day-one access to the more expensive Ultimate tier for console users, could lead some to reconsider. Some subscribers may cancel their costly plans and opt to purchase Black Ops 7 outright, which would positively impact its sales figures.
A major point of contention for PC players in recent years has been the plague of cheaters. DICE seems to be taking a strong stance this time around. The implementation of the new "Javelin" anti-cheat system could be a significant differentiator. For a technical breakdown of how this system aims to protect the integrity of the game, this report from GSMGotech offers a detailed look.
The Final Verdict Before Launch
The stage is set for one of the most intriguing holiday seasons in shooter history. Battlefield 6 has the wind in its sails, boasting a record-breaking beta and a commanding lead in Steam pre-orders and wishlists that it has not seen in over a decade. The community's belief is palpable.
However, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 is a known quantity with a relentless fanbase and the powerful leverage of Xbox Game Pass. Its beta is just beginning, and Activision is a master of the marketing blitz.
One thing is certain: for the first time in years, Call of Duty’s throne is being legitimately challenged. When Battlefield 6 deploys on October 16th, we’ll find out if its pre-release dominance is a preview of a new world order, or if the king is still very much alive.
A new report from The Game Business claims that #Battlefield6 has an estimated 1.7 million copies pre-ordered on Steam alone, expected to sell 5 million within its first week.
— Battlefield Bulletin (@BFBulletin) October 2, 2025
29% of Call of Duty players who played the #Battlefield6 Open Beta didn't go back to Call of Duty the… pic.twitter.com/LQw7gIe4wy
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