Pre-orders for CoD: Black Ops 7 appear to be picking up the pace, with the Vault Edition now surpassing Battlefield 6’s Standard and Phantom Editions on the PlayStation Store. This marks a turning point in the rivalry between the two long-running franchises, which are releasing within just five weeks of each other after a four-year gap.
Battlefield’s Early Momentum
In 2021, EA and DICE suffered one of their most controversial launches with Battlefield 2042. Missing core features, plagued by glitches, and poorly received by fans, the game left the franchise struggling to regain its footing.
Fast forward to 2025, and Battlefield 6 is showing signs of redemption. Its open beta shattered franchise records, peaking at more than 521,000 concurrent players on Steam, making it the most successful beta in Battlefield history. The strong reception propelled Battlefield 6 ahead of Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 in early pre-orders—at least until now.
Black Ops 7 Vault Edition Gaining Ground
According to CharlieIntel, the Black Ops 7 Vault Edition has climbed past Battlefield 6’s top editions, along with other high-profile titles like Borderlands 4 and Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater. However, NBA 2K26 remains firmly at the top of the PlayStation Store with three chart-dominating editions.
This shift suggests that Call of Duty’s loyal fanbase may finally be warming up to Black Ops 7—even after weeks of skepticism.
Activision’s Confidence vs. Player Backlash
Despite Battlefield 6’s resurgence, Activision leadership has dismissed concerns, claiming that Call of Duty is “too big to fail.” With nearly two decades of annual releases and consistent chart-topping performance, the publisher is betting that the franchise’s brand power will carry it through.
However, controversy continues to shadow Black Ops 7. Its worldwide reveal trailer has accumulated nearly 400,000 dislikes, reflecting growing frustration within the community. Fans cite a list of grievances:
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Unrealistic cosmetics
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Bug-ridden launches
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Lackluster post-launch content
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Hacker issues
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Overbearing microtransactions
It seems less about Black Ops 7 specifically and more about franchise fatigue after years of perceived missteps.
The Road Ahead: COD vs. Battlefield 2025
With just weeks separating their launches, both shooters are under immense pressure. Battlefield 6 is riding the momentum of its successful beta, while Black Ops 7 is starting to regain traction thanks to its Vault Edition appeal.
Whether Call of Duty’s pre-orders can continue to rise—or if Battlefield 6 will maintain its comeback story—remains one of the biggest questions in gaming for 2025.