Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 — Pre-Orders Trail Battlefield on PS5 Store Despite Franchise Legacy
Unprecedented Challenge for a Beloved Franchise
For the first time in its storied history, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 has failed to top the PlayStation 5 pre-order charts on the PlayStation Store shortly after its reveal—a staggering departure from past performance. The Vault Edition sits at #8, while the Cross-Gen Bundle lags further at #14, both overshadowed by multiple editions of Battlefield 6.
This unusual shift underscores rising competition and evolving consumer preferences in the FPS market.
PS5 Pre-Order Rankings: A New Reality
A breakdown of the current PS5 pre-order leaderboard reveals:
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NBA 2K26 Superstar Edition
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NBA 2K26 Leave No Doubt Edition
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Battlefield 6 Phantom Edition
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EA SPORTS FC 26 Ultimate Edition
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Battlefield 6 Standard Edition
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Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater Digital Deluxe Edition
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Borderlands 4 Super Deluxe Edition
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Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 – Vault Edition
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Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 – Cross-Gen Bundle
Battlefield editions not only outperform Black Ops 7, they've even displaced the franchise’s pre-order dominance—a telling sign of EA’s renewed momentum.
Competitive Shift Driven by Enthusiasm for Battlefield 6
Several factors appear to be fueling Battlefield’s lead:
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Positive Reception of Battlefield 6 Beta
Battlefield's recent beta testing received glowing feedback, amplifying hype ahead of release—drawing attention away from Black Ops 7’s announcement. -
Skepticism from the Call of Duty Community
Notably, user backlash on social platforms is evidently driving interest toward Battlefield. A Reddit user captured this sentiment, noting the reveal trailer prompted them to preorder Battlefield instead. Another echoed the backlash:“This actually made me Pre-Order Battlefield 6.”
This growing skepticism—perhaps rooted in fatigue from futuristic COD titles, overloaded monetization, or overly stylized aesthetic—is influencing purchase decisions, even among long-time fans.
What This Means for Black Ops 7 and the Franchise
1. The Battle for Pre-Order Supremacy Heats Up
Black Ops 7's underperformance may compel Activision to reassess its marketing strategy ahead of launch. This year marks a rare moment of vulnerability in Call of Duty’s November dominance.
2. Evolving Player Preferences
Battlefield’s strong pre-order showing may reflect customers seeking new narratives, gameplay styles, or tonal direction—choices some find lacking in Black Ops 7’s evident futuristic themes and presentation.
3. Reviving Competitive Fire
This shift sets the stage for a renewed rivalry. As one analyst noted, EA aims to develop an annual Battlefield release schedule, intensifying direct competition with Call of Duty.
Black Ops 7 Campaign, Features & Release Snapshot
Despite the lukewarm pre-orders, Black Ops 7 brings plenty to the table:
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Release Date: November 14, 2025
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Cross-Gen Launch: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and PC
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Pre-Order Editions:
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Vault Edition: Early beta access, cosmetics, battle pass tier skips, unlock token, and exclusive packs
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Standard/Cross-Gen Bundle: Core game plus select early access perks
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Beta Access: Early access begins October 2 for pre-order purchasers and Game Pass subscribers; open beta from October 5–8Gameplay Elements: A futuristic 2035 storyline, Co-Op campaign, Omnimovement, 16 6v6 + 2 20v20 multiplayer maps, zombies mode
Final Thoughts
Black Ops 7's Pre-Order Performance Broken Down
| Factor | Insight |
|---|---|
| Battlefield’s Momentum | Strong-response beta helped dethrone COD’s typical pre-order lead. |
| Fan Sentiment Shift | Backlash against COD's direction amplified Battlefield’s appeal. |
| Market Implication | A fresh rivalry reignites pressure—healthy for both franchises. |
This unexpected shift signals that even juggernauts like Call of Duty must evolve or risk being outpaced. With its November 14 launch approaching, Black Ops 7 still has a pivotal window to reshape its appeal—but the competition has never been fiercer.