The next generation of AAA shooters is almost here, and you already know what that means. It is time to size up the competition.
This year, it is Battlefield 6 facing off against Call of Duty: Black Ops 7. With official trailers, timelines, and confirmed features out in the wild, here is a complete breakdown of the real differences with all the details that matter when deciding what to play first.
Call of Duty Black Ops 7 vs Battlefield 6 Comparison
Battlefield 6 dropped October 10 on PS5, Xbox Series X and S, and PC via Steam, EA App, and Epic. It had two beta weekends in August. Some streamers got in even earlier.
Black Ops 7 hits November 14. It’s covering more ground: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series consoles, Xbox One, and PC via Battle.net, Steam, and Xbox PC. Beta access rolled out October 2.
Call of Duty’s biggest advantage this year is Game Pass. Black Ops 7 is launching day one on both Game Pass Ultimate and PC. Battlefield 6 isn’t part of that; it’s EA, so it sticks to EA Play.
Cross-gen support is clearer on the Call of Duty side too. Buy a digital version, and you can play across generations on the same platform family. Just don’t expect a PS5 disc to work on anything else.
| Category | Battlefield 6 | Black Ops 7 |
|---|---|---|
| Release Date & Platforms | Released October 10 PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC (Steam, EA App, Epic) | Releases November 14 PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC (Battle.net, Steam, Xbox PC) |
| Beta Access | Two open betas in August; early access for select streamers | Beta access started October 2 |
| Subscription Availability | Not on Game Pass; EA Play only | Day-one Game Pass launch (Console & PC) |
| Cross-Gen Support | Next-gen only | Full cross-gen (digital purchases work across same-platform families) |
| Campaign Setting & Story | Set between 2027–2028 during a global conflict against Pax Armata. Follows Dagger 1-3 with nine missions tightly connected to multiplayer tone and chaos. | Set in 2035, expanding Black Ops 2 & 6 arcs. Focuses on psychological warfare, conspiracy, and The Guild’s rise. You play as David Mason leading a JSOC team. |
| Campaign Requirements | No online requirement confirmed | Always-online campaign due to texture streaming technology |
| Gameplay Systems & Core Mechanics | Large-scale combat, squad tactics, and destructive environments. Kinesthetic Combat System improves movement, dragging allies, mounting weapons. Strong emphasis on dynamic map destruction. | Fast, fluid movement and personalized loadouts. Vault Edition adds early power: Mastercraft weapons, unlock tokens, Battle Pass boosts. |
| Class / Roles System | Four classic roles: Assault, Recon, Support, Engineer | No fixed classes; CoD maintains flexible loadouts and perk-based builds |
| Multiplayer Modes | Conquest, Breakthrough, Rush + new mode Escalation Confirmed maps: Egypt, Gibraltar, New York | Competitive playlists + hybrid PvE modes and Warzone ecosystem integration |
| Co-op Experience | Strong squad play focus, with large battles and destruction shaping strategy | Campaign supports co-op; Zombies confirmed; large-scale hybrid experiences overlap with MP |
| Split-Screen Support | Not confirmed | Split-screen on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S only (not available on PS4/Xone) |
| Zombies Mode | Not available | Fully featured Zombies experience + Ultra GobbleGum consumables (Vault Edition) |
| Post-Launch Support | Portal Mode returns with expanded tools. Strong focus on custom modes and sandbox creativity. | Cosmetics and content carry into Warzone; continuous Battle Pass model and ecosystem updates. |
| What Sets Them Apart | Large-scale warfare, destruction, tactical roles, and deep sandbox systems. Built for squad coordination, creativity, and player-driven chaos. | Narrative-driven campaign, fast shooting, strong ecosystem links, and day-one Game Pass. Designed for players who want fast access and constant progression. |
| Best For | Players who want massive battles, destruction physics, and strategic squad shooters | Players who prefer fast-paced gunplay, co-op campaigns, Zombies, and Warzone connectivity |
Campaign Setting and Narrative Direction
Black Ops 7 takes place in 2035 and builds on the events of Black Ops 2 and Black Ops 6. It focuses on psychological warfare and black-ops missions. Raul Menendez makes a return, and a group named The Guild emerges as a powerful tech company claiming to defend humanity. You play as David Mason, leading a JSOC team tasked with uncovering a conspiracy tied to their past.
The game requires a constant internet connection, even for the single-player campaign. This is due to texture streaming technology used to maintain visual quality while reducing the game’s file size. Battlefield 6 has not announced a similar requirement.
Battlefield 6 takes place between 2027 and 2028. It follows Dagger 1-3, a Marine Raider squad in a global conflict against Pax Armata, a privatized military group. You get nine missions and a full story arc that connects directly to the multiplayer experience. Same tone, same chaos.
Gameplay Systems and Mechanics
Battlefield 6 focuses on large-scale battles, role-based teamplay, and tactical destruction.
The new Kinesthetic Combat System improves player movement and weapon control. You can drag teammates to safety or mount weapons on surfaces to stabilize recoil.
Destruction plays a central role again. Players can breach walls, bring down structures, and change how the map plays by reshaping the environment.
The class system returns with four roles: Assault, Recon, Support, and Engineer. Each comes with its own gear, tools, and upgrade paths.
Multiplayer brings back Conquest, Breakthrough, and Rush. A new mode called Escalation pits two teams in a fight to secure and hold key locations. Confirmed maps include Egypt, Gibraltar, and New York.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 sticks to fast-paced movement and personalized loadouts.
The Vault Edition gives players early advantages. A Permanent Unlock Token lets you choose any progression item to unlock from day one, and the Mastercraft Weapon Collection includes five animated weapon variants.
Zombies mode is confirmed. The Ultra GobbleGum Pack in the Vault Edition offers eight single-use consumables to enhance performance.
Split-screen is supported but limited to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S. Last-generation consoles do not support this feature.
Vault Edition buyers also get one season of the BlackCell Battle Pass, which includes 1,100 Call of Duty Points, 20 Tier Skips, and over 100 items.
Post-Launch Strategy and Support
Battlefield 6 builds heavily on its Portal mode. Portal returns with more power and streamlined tools for custom game creation. Players can build unique scenarios, tweak gameplay rules, and share their own multiplayer experiences. Ongoing support includes new maps, weapons, and content updates over time.
Black Ops 7 leans into monetization and ecosystem integration. Vault Edition cosmetics and the Battle Pass content will carry over into Call of Duty: Warzone when Season 01 begins. This cross-game functionality remains a key part of the Call of Duty content model.
What Sets Them Apart
Battlefield 6 is built around wide-scale combat, squad coordination, and destruction that changes how each match plays out. Its focus on player roles and the expanded Portal toolkit gives it flexibility and depth that reward teamwork and creativity.
Black Ops 7 is a tighter experience, centered on a story-driven campaign, quick reflex shooting, and a content ecosystem designed for regular progression. With full Game Pass support at launch and integration with Warzone, it is positioned for players who want fast access and continuous updates.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 vs Battlefield 6
Both games target different styles of play. If you want a strategic battlefield with changing environments and player-driven tactics, Battlefield 6 fits that role. If you prefer a fast, narrative-heavy shooter that connects to a larger multiplayer network, Black Ops 7 is the better match. Either way, both are shaping up to be major titles for late 2025.