In a surprising turn of events, an overwhelming majority of fans have voted in favor of the next Battlefield installment over the upcoming Call of Duty: Black Ops title. A recent poll conducted by the popular Call of Duty news account, ModernWarzone, on X (formerly Twitter) shows a staggering 80.5% of the 31,417 participants are more excited for Battlefield 6, with Black Ops 7 trailing significantly at just 19.5%. The lopsided result is particularly noteworthy given that the poll was hosted by a Call of Duty-centric account, suggesting a potential wave of franchise fatigue and a powerful redemption narrative for EA’s rival series.
Battlefield’s Road to Redemption
The massive anticipation for Battlefield 6 appears to be fueled by a desire for a return to the franchise’s roots, following the troubled launch and mixed reception of its predecessor, Battlefield 2042. That entry was widely criticized by players for its extensive bugs, lack of a single-player campaign, and controversial design choices like the introduction of Specialists, which many felt deviated from the series’ core identity.
Are you more excited for Battlefield 6 or Black Ops 7? 👀
I’m tryna see something…
— ModernWarzone (@ModernWarzone) July 23, 2025
Electronic Arts and DICE seem to have taken the criticism to heart. Leaks and official reveals for Battlefield 6 paint a picture of a game designed to win back fans. The developers have confirmed a return to a modern setting and, most notably, the inclusion of a single-player campaign, a feature sorely missed in 2042. This story is set to involve a near-future conflict with an organization named Pax Armata attacking NATO forces.
Further leaks suggest the return of fan-favorite modes like Conquest and Rush, improved map design to avoid the empty feeling of 2042’s large-scale maps, and enhancements to in-game movement and destruction. With a rumored release date of October 10, 2025, and an open beta on the horizon, the excitement is building for what many hope will be a triumphant comeback.
Is Call of Duty’s Dominance Waning?
On the other side of the battlefield, Call of Duty is facing a different kind of challenge: franchise fatigue. The relentless annual release schedule, and now back-to-back entries in the same sub-franchise, may be taking its toll on player enthusiasm.
Leaks for Black Ops 7 suggest a futuristic setting in 2035, with new multiplayer modes like “Overload” and the large-scale 20v20 “Skirmish.” The game will also see the return of the popular Zombies mode, though some leaked details about its mechanics have been met with a mixed response from the community. Despite these developments, the poll suggests that another futuristic installment may not be what players are yearning for, a sentiment Activision itself has acknowledged in the past regarding futuristic settings.
With a rumored release date of November 14, 2025, Black Ops 7 will follow closely on the heels of its predecessor, continuing a cycle that some analysts believe is unsustainable and leads to player burnout.
A New Front in the Shooter Wars
The poll from ModernWarzone serves as a clear indicator of the current sentiment in the FPS community. The disastrous launch of Battlefield 2042 seems to have, paradoxically, created immense hype for its successor’s potential redemption. Gamers appear eager to support a developer that is actively responding to feedback.
While Call of Duty remains a commercial juggernaut, this significant shift in fan excitement suggests that the upcoming showdown between Battlefield 6 and Black Ops 7 could be the most competitive in years. The ball is now in EA’s court to deliver a product that lives up to the soaring expectations, while Activision may need to consider if a change in its release strategy is needed to keep its massive player base fully engaged.
