Based on concurrent player numbers,
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 appears to be losing the battle against EA's upcoming Battlefield 6, at least during the Open Beta period. Since its announcement, Black Ops 7 has faced significant criticism, with many gamers claiming it offers a repetitive experience and lacks innovation compared to previous titles in the franchise.
Black Ops 7 Beta Playlist and Minimal SBMM
The backlash began as early as the Gamescom Opening Night trailer, which quickly amassed over 100,000 dislikes, making it one of the most disliked trailers for an unreleased Call of Duty game. Analysts predicted that this negative response could drive fans toward Battlefield 6, and recent Open Beta statistics seem to confirm that trend.
Open Beta Statistics Show Battlefield 6 Leading
During the Open Beta on Steam, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 peaked at around 99,000 concurrent players. In comparison, Battlefield 6 recorded over 520,000 concurrent players on the same platform during its Open Beta in August. This nearly 420% difference in concurrent player numbers points to EA’s FPS as the likely winner in the current early-stage rivalry.
Black Ops 7 Beta Update Changes and Patch Notes
It’s important to note that these statistics only reflect Steam numbers. Black Ops 7 is available across multiple platforms, which could mean its total player count is higher than reported. Similarly, Battlefield 6 also launched its Open Beta on both PC and consoles, so its total concurrent player base could be even larger than 521,000.
Battlefield 6 Performance Mode – 120 FPS on PS5 and Xbox
While it may be too early to declare an ultimate winner for 2025, the Open Beta shows that Black Ops 7 has had a slower start. Activision previously stated that they weren’t concerned about Battlefield 6, claiming that Call of Duty is "too big to fail." However, these early numbers may force a reassessment, as EA clearly poses serious competition.
Release Dates and the Ongoing FPS Rivalry
EA confirms that Battlefield 6 will release globally on October 10, 2025, already topping Steam’s best-seller charts. Activision’s Black Ops 7 is set for release on November 14, 2025, assuming no delays. The coming months will reveal whether Call of Duty can reclaim its dominance or if Battlefield 6 will firmly establish itself as the new leader in the FPS market.
