Should Battlefield Compete with Call of Duty in 2025?

Call of Duty and Battlefield are set to clash in the first-person shooter arena in 2025. Both franchises are gearing up to release their versions of near-future/modern warfare, sparking debate among fans on which game to choose. Is it wise for Battlefield to launch around the same time as the juggernaut Call of Duty? Or does EA have a smarter strategy for Battlefield?

Release Plans and Rumors

It's important to note that neither EA nor Activision has confirmed specifics about their upcoming titles. However, according to sources, EA is aiming for a holiday 2025 release for its next major Battlefield game. Meanwhile, Call of Duty, which hasn't missed an annual release in over two decades, is expected to drop its new installment in October or November 2025.

Call of Duty 2025

Insider Gaming reported in late 2023 that the 2025 Call of Duty game will be a sequel to Black Ops 2, set around 2030 and following the aftermath of Menendez’s death. The game’s multiplayer is rumored to bring back classic maps from Black Ops 2 and the beloved ‘pick 10’ create-a-class system. Additionally, Treyarch is expected to leverage nostalgia significantly in its zombies mode, with more details anticipated later in the year.

According to Statista, Black Ops 2 is among the best-selling games in the franchise, with nearly 30 million units sold. Combining this nostalgic appeal with Call of Duty Warzone, the series’ free-to-play component, Call of Duty 2025 is poised to be a major success.

Battlefield 2025

EA CEO Andrew Wilson has confirmed that the next Battlefield game is already playable, although details remain scarce. Following the troubled launch of Battlefield 2042, the franchise has undergone significant changes, especially in leadership. Insider Gaming reported in February 2024 that the new game will return to 64-player matches, focusing on its roots.

The upcoming Battlefield will be part of a broader ‘Battlefield universe’, featuring interconnected games and modes. One planned game is a free-to-play Battle Royale led by Byron Beede, a former Call of Duty live service leader. This mode will include a traditional Battle Royale format as well as a new mode called ‘Gauntlet’, which involves objective-based team competitions.

Despite a perceived decline in interest for Battle Royale games, successful titles in this genre suggest that a free-to-play Battlefield Battle Royale, launched alongside the premium game, has significant potential.

Timing the Release

Considering the competitive landscape, EA might benefit from postponing Battlefield's release to Spring 2026. While this would mean a nearly two-year gap without new content, a well-polished game could be worth the wait. EA needs to rebuild trust with its fanbase after the rocky releases of Battlefield V and Battlefield 2042. A spring release would also align with a period when Call of Duty players typically seek new games, around March, after the excitement of the latest release fades.

The GTA VI Factor

Another critical consideration is the potential holiday 2025 release of GTA VI. While Call of Duty can withstand such competition, Battlefield may struggle. Delaying the release could help Battlefield avoid competing with both Call of Duty and GTA VI.

When do you think the next Battlefield game should be released? Share your thoughts in the comments below.