The upcoming Battlefield game is poised to present serious competition to Call of Duty; however, not in the way many might expect. Fans might believe that the next Battlefield installment will revert to its classic roots, integrating the core gameplay elements that originally made it a hit. Features such as expansive maps, destructible environments, effective vehicular warfare, and a streamlined class system are among the most requested attributes for this forthcoming title.
Additionally, some players speculate that, unlike BF2042, the upcoming game will include a single-player campaign mode, thereby offering more content for its price point. While these features may indeed appear in the game, the competition goes beyond just these facets.
Not long ago, both Battlefield and Call of Duty dominated the casual FPS genre. Although these two franchises differ fundamentally, they were in direct competition with one another in the gaming market. Consequently, it was common for the community to take sides and advocate for one series over the other.
Unfortunately, the Battlefield series faced considerable setbacks. After the release of Battlefield V, many fans distanced themselves from the franchise, expressing that it had lost its essence. The launch of BF2042 in 2021, which is now regarded as one of EA’s least successful launches, further intensified fan disappointment and seemed to put the franchise on the brink of collapse.
This allowed Call of Duty to assert dominance over the casual FPS market. Yet, Battlefield’s story may not be over just yet. Recent information has emerged suggesting that Call of Duty might finally encounter competition from Battlefield in the near future.
Battlefield 2025 is reportedly adopting a Call of Duty approach
A significant selling point for Call of Duty is its free-to-play battle royale game, Warzone, and it appears that Battlefield 2025 may follow suit. As per a report by Insider Gaming, the looming BF game is expected to debut with a standalone, free-to-play battle royale mode, mirroring the approach of Call of Duty—and this could be where the two gaming titans clash.
It is widely recognized that Warzone boasts a large player base and significantly benefits Activision in terms of community engagement and revenue generation. A key reason for this immense player base is Warzone’s accessibility; being entirely free on all platforms allows it to reach gamers worldwide. Additionally, players who purchase the main Call of Duty titles also frequently engage with Warzone.
With its business model centered around microtransactions, Warzone stands as one of Call of Duty’s remarkable success stories. However, the absence of real competition in the first-person battle royale arena has allowed it to monopolize the market, diverting from traditional battle royale gameplay to cater to casual gamers rather than hardcore enthusiasts.
With no direct competitors, Call of Duty has captured the entire casual FPS market, which contributes to its ongoing success.
Nevertheless, the arrival of a standalone, free-to-play battle royale game from Battlefield could introduce fresh competition into the landscape. Furthermore, additional rumors indicate that the upcoming BF title will adopt gameplay mechanics akin to those found in Call of Duty.
All current indications suggest only one outcome – Call of Duty may be facing genuine competition for the first time in a while. While this may spell trouble for Activision, it undeniably represents a positive development for the gaming genre and its community.
With both franchises vying for supremacy, they’ll need to continuously enhance their offerings to attract new players and retain existing ones. Ultimately, it is the gamers who will emerge as the true victors.
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