Early indicators from the PlayStation Store suggest that pre-orders for Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 are experiencing a surprisingly slow start. The latest installment in the legendary franchise is already facing significant community criticism, and with Battlefield 6 positioned as a potential game-changer, Black Ops 7 will need to deliver an exceptional experience to maintain its dominance in the first-person shooter genre.

For the first time in four years, the gaming community is witnessing a direct showdown between the Battlefield and Call of Duty franchises this fall. While the ultimate winner remains uncertain, Battlefield 6 has demonstrated remarkable early success. Following the disappointing launch of Battlefield 2042 in 2021, publisher EA and developer DICE thoroughly reevaluated their approach, ultimately incorporating extensive fan feedback. Their efforts appear to be paying off, as the Battlefield 6 open beta has shattered franchise records, becoming the most successful beta test in the series' history.

While Battlefield 6 enjoys unprecedented early success, the same cannot be said for Call of Duty: Black Ops 7. Although official pre-order numbers haven't been released, industry observers at CharlieIntel noted that Black Ops 7 marks the first time a Call of Duty title has failed to top PlayStation pre-order charts immediately following its announcement. Surprisingly, the upcoming installment is currently being outperformed by Battlefield 6's Phantom Edition and Standard Edition.

This development may not come as a complete shock to those following both franchises closely. During its initial days, the Battlefield 6 open beta surpassed Call of Duty in all-time concurrent players on Steam by over 30,000 users. While Call of Duty previously peaked at approximately 491,000 concurrent players nearly three years ago, the Battlefield 6 open beta exceeded this figure, reaching more than 521,000 concurrent players. Achieving such impressive numbers on a single platform during a beta test demonstrates remarkable player engagement.

For years, Call of Duty has reigned supreme not only within the first-person shooter category but across the entire gaming landscape. However, with pre-order numbers appearing underwhelming and ongoing controversies surrounding Black Ops 6's unrealistic cosmetic items and character skins, fans seem increasingly interested in a more authentic and grounded shooting experience.

The gaming community has been particularly vocal in the comments section of the Black Ops 7 reveal trailer, with numerous comments indicating that players are planning to pre-order Battlefield 6 instead. If these declarations translate into actual sales, this could potentially mark the first year that Battlefield claims the throne from Call of Duty in the competitive shooter market.