The FPS rivalry is heating up again, and it feels like 2016 all over. With Battlefield 6 preparing for launch, Activision is showing clear signs of nervousness. In a move that few saw coming, the publisher has announced a week-long free trial for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, granting full access to Campaign, Multiplayer, and Zombies. The timing couldn’t be more suspicious—it directly overlaps with the release week of Battlefield 6.
The Black Ops 6 Free Trial will run from October 9 to October 16, giving players access to every mode except Ranked Play. The event starts just a day before Battlefield 6’s October 10 release, effectively positioning Call of Duty as a tempting distraction.
What makes this move unprecedented is that Activision has never before allowed full campaign access in a free trial. Usually, only select Multiplayer maps or Zombies content are available during promotional events. This time, however, Treyarch is offering everything—likely a calculated attempt to keep players within the Call of Duty ecosystem.
The official blog post confirmed that all Season 6 Multiplayer maps, every Zombies chapter, and the full main story campaign will be accessible throughout the trial. For many fans, this is the most generous free trial in the franchise’s history.
Before this announcement, Activision had already begun making adjustments that many interpreted as reactive to Battlefield’s rising hype.
- The removal of Skill-Based Matchmaking (SBMM) from certain modes in the Black Ops 7 beta was a long-requested fan feature—one that arrived just as Battlefield 6 dominated headlines.
- Additionally, the Black Ops 7 open beta was extended through October 9, overlapping with Battlefield’s early access period.
These overlapping schedules are no coincidence. Activision seems intent on ensuring that no player attention drifts toward EA’s competing shooter.
Battlefield 6 Emerges as the Biggest FPS Challenger Yet
The numbers tell the story. Reports suggest the Battlefield 6 beta attracted up to five times more players than the Black Ops 7 beta on Steam. According to industry data from Ampere and Newzoo, 22–25 million players participated in the Battlefield 6 beta, leading to 1.7 million pre-orders and 2.4 million wishlist adds—nearly triple that of Black Ops 7.
This surge echoes the buzz that surrounded Battlefield 1 in 2016, when it nearly dethroned Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare. Now, with Battlefield 6 promising a mix of large-scale combat and strategic sandbox gameplay, the rivalry has reignited with fresh intensity.
A Free Trial That Changes the Game for Call of Duty
Activision’s free week for Black Ops 6 isn’t just about generosity—it’s a statement of confidence and concern.
By opening up the entire game, including the campaign, Treyarch is betting that once players step into the world of Black Ops 6, they’ll stay invested through to Black Ops 7’s launch on November 14.
But industry analysts view it differently. Many see it as a defensive maneuver, a last-ditch effort to maintain engagement while Battlefield dominates the conversation. Activision’s aggressive scheduling and feature rollbacks reflect a publisher determined to hold its ground.
See also: How to Complete the Hardest Dark Ops Challenges in Black Ops 6 Zombies
While Call of Duty continues its 16-year streak as the best-selling franchise, Battlefield 6 represents the most serious challenge in years. The Battlefield community is rallying behind DICE’s promises of large-scale dynamic warfare, improved AI systems, and a return to strategic team play.
In contrast, Call of Duty’s strength lies in its consistency, polish, and yearly refresh cycle. Activision hopes that by giving players an extended hands-on experience with Black Ops 6, they’ll resist the temptation to jump ship. Play Now!
