In the changing face of first-person shooters, an Insider Gaming report asserting publisher Activision’s confidence even in the thick of Battlefield 6’s competition sends people arguing. The hype train has jumped on to the track for Battlefield Studios’ next installment. Recent cinematic trailers have done wonders for the title and already exceeding engagement with the latest Call of Duty reveal. Even as Battlefield 6 gets more and more hyped, sources say Activision top executives still believe in the main franchise’s strength. They have been reported to describe Call of Duty as “too big to fail.”
Call of Duty then rolls on, well chugged with successful annual releases, including an acclaimed Black Ops 7 campaign and always active multiplayer action. However, it seems that most of its direct titles face new challengers, with warzone being the weakest. In addition, player numbers using the title for several months have been declining ever since. A new and prospective Battlefield battle royale could exacerbate this trend. This kind of mode, which fans have long been asking for, can pose a serious threat to Warzone’s monopoly in the free-to-play field.
The main annual releases of both franchises are likely to coexist just as they have in the past. Battlefield 6 restores a relatively more traditional campaign structure, which is important in the wake of recent focus by the series. However, Battlefield will not likely be put on an annual release plot, so in all likelihood, it may not interrupt Call of Duty’s steady annual supply of campaign, multiplayer, and co-op experiences. The true battle will be found in the battle royale arena, where the success of Battlefield’s new offering could change the competitive landscape.
As fans look forward to the Battlefield 6 open beta on August 9 and its complete release on October 10, the heat between the two colossi of the genre will obviously escalate. In fact, for Activision, confidence exists about the staying power of Call of Duty. However, the performance of the battle royale component against the new competition will be an element to closely watch. In the coming months, the increasingly dynamic, competitive landscape will show whether the “too big to fail” belief holds true.
