Battlefield 6 Takes A Shot at Call of Duty In New Trailer

With just over a week before its official launch, Battlefield 6 is making headlines again, this time with a bold marketing move. Following the success of its open beta and the buzz surrounding Battlefield Labs, the new entry in EA’s long-running shooter franchise is being positioned as a serious contender to rival Call of Duty for the first time in years.

EA has now released a new live-action trailer, and it wastes no time taking direct aim at Activision’s flagship series. The trailer opens with actor Zac Efron, NBA star Jimmy Butler, country singer Morgan Wallen, and MMA fighter Paddy Pimblett walking across a war-torn New York City bridge, each dressed to represent different Battlefield classes: Efron as Assault, Butler as Engineer, Wallen as Support, and Pimblett as Recon.

Their screen time doesn’t last long, however, as they are swiftly blown up, giving way to a squad of proper soldiers. One soldier asks, “Who was that?” and another dismissively replies, “Doesn’t matter, let’s move.” The sequence is a tongue-in-cheek jab at Call of Duty’s reliance on celebrity cameos and flashy marketing.

The rest of the trailer plays out as a stylized live-action interpretation of a Battlefield 6 match, but the opening clearly delivers its message. Small details reinforce the parody: Pimblett’s weapon is decorated with multiple custom skins and decals, while Butler’s rocket launcher sports a dangling charm. These visual cues are digs at Call of Duty’s heavily monetized customization system.

EA also seems to be mocking the increasing number of Call of Duty celebrity collaborations and cultural crossovers, which many fans argue are pushing the franchise closer to Fortnite in tone than a traditional military shooter.

Even the soundtrack selection adds to the punch. The trailer uses “Bullet With Butterfly Wings” by Smashing Pumpkins, a song that Activision had previously featured in its own marketing campaign for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II. Re-using the same track comes across as a deliberate swipe at Activision’s strategy.

The timing of the release also seems intentional. The trailer dropped just days before Call of Duty Next, where Activision is set to ramp up promotion for Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 ahead of its November launch. The move mirrors the “Genesis does what Nintendon’t” style of 1990s console wars marketing, framing Battlefield as a gritty, serious alternative while painting Call of Duty as overly commercialized and cosmetic-driven.

Reception to the trailer has been overwhelmingly positive among Battlefield fans, with many celebrating the more aggressive marketing stance. Comment sections across social platforms highlight how well the digs landed with players who feel Call of Duty has strayed from its roots.

Yet the bigger question remains: can Battlefield 6 really compete with Call of Duty: Black Ops 7? Despite the strong marketing push, it would be a shock if EA’s shooter managed to outsell or even match Call of Duty in terms of sheer player base, given Activision’s long-standing dominance and annual release cycle.

At the very least, however, this trailer signals that EA is serious about positioning Battlefield as a legitimate competitor again. Even if it doesn’t topple Call of Duty commercially, Battlefield 6 has a chance to prove to shooter fans that Activision’s franchise isn’t the only war game in town.

Do you think Battlefield 6 can pull players away from Call of Duty, or will EA’s shots land more in marketing than in sales?