Battlefield 6 and Call of Duty 2021 are set to go head-to-head for the first time in years, and many fans are hoping to see the rivalry reignited via two great games. While that certainly could happen, the two projects are shaping up to be vastly different from one another. Not only have leaks for both indicated two contrasting design philosophies, but the two games’ likely settings are complete opposites.
Intriguingly, Battlefield 6 and Call of Duty 2021 seem to be flipping the 2018 releases of each series on their head. While this does make sense from a business standpoint, as it allows each game to further differentiate itself from its competition, the role reversal is certainly interesting. Come the end of 2021, gamers will likely be enjoying versions of Call of Duty and Battlefield that look entirely different from the games seen last time the two juggernauts battled it out.
2018: Battlefield 5 vs. Call of Duty: Black Ops 4
Back in 2018, Battlefield 5 released. The game was set in World War 2, and while it featured great visuals, it was not as well received as its predecessors. The return of Battlefield’s War Stories campaign proved less successful than its debut in Battlefield 1, while multiplayer proved to be less enjoyable due to a weaker map lineup and unnecessary changes to Operations. A lack of historical accuracy also proved controversial, with the game failing to bring the same level of excitement seen when other Battlefield games launched.
Still, there are things that Battlefield 5 did which may return in Battlefield 6. The first entry in the series to introduce free DLC, new maps, weapons, and cosmetics were added without any additional costs. Further, Battlefield 5’s easter eggs were just as wild and complex as the ones in previous entries, something that will hopefully continue in Battlefield 6. Lastly, the game introduced Firestorm, the franchise’s first foray into the battle royale genre. While the mode ultimately failed, it may have taught DICE some valuable lessons about making such a mode, ensuring that a possible Battlefield 6 battle royale succeeds.
In 2018, Battlefield 5’s direct competition was Call of Duty: Black Ops 4. Another divisive game, this title had a near future setting of 2045, and its most controversial aspect was a lack of a campaign mode. While multiplayer was solid, it made use of the “love it or hate it” Specialist system. Call of Duty: Black Ops 4’s Zombies offered the most content on launch day for any appearance of the mode, though the new Chaos Story failed to capture player interest. Several bugs also plagued the game mode, killing lots of the hype for Zombies that year.
While the settings, weapons, and gameplay styles were massively different, one similarity between Battlefield 5 and Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 is their use of battle royales. Much like Firestorm was Battlefield’s first attempt at the genre, Blackout was Call of Duty’s. Proving to be far more successful, Blackout’s unique map full of classic Treyarch locations quickly won fans over. The use of Zombies in specific areas also gave it a unique style, while unlockable characters gave players challenges that offered a fresh style of gameplay. While the mode eventually lost popularity due to Call of Duty: Warzone’s success as a free-to-play game, Blackout was a major highlight of the fourth Black Ops release.
2021: Battlefield 6 vs. Call of Duty 2021
2021 marks the first year since 2018 where a Battlefield title will release, and as such, it is the first time since that the two biggest FPS franchises will be launching games in the same year. Intriguingly, rumors for the games indicate that they will be the exact opposite of what happened in 2018. For Battlefield 6, this means taking on a near future setting — the same thing that Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 did back in 2018. While the exact year has not been specified, a Kazakhstan and World War 3 setting have been specified.
As for the gameplay, players know a fair bit about the game via various leaks. A 128-player count seems all-but-confirmed, as EA has publicly stated that matches will be larger. The game’s destruction will supposedly be taken up a notch, with fully destructible cities and natural disasters that destroy maps. With both lining up well with the Battlefield 4 concept of Levelution, this rumor would make sense. Other leaks have indicated that War Stories will return and that the game will serve as a hub for past Battlefield games.
As for Call of Duty, the exact opposite has been rumored. According to leaks, the game will be set during World War 2 — the same era that Battlefield 5 occupied back in 2018. While leakers are divided on whether this setting will be traditional or delve into alternate history, most sources seem to believe that Call of Duty will indeed be returning to the 1940s. With Call of Duty: Black Ops taking on the Cold War and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare capturing today’s battles, this decision would make sense, as it allows each year’s release to feel varied.
As for how Call of Duty 2021 will play, fans know a bit less about this game than Battlefield 6. Supposedly being gritty and controversial, the 2021 game is rumored to include the concept of skill-based matchmaking. Call of Duty: Warzone integration of some kind is also set to occur, which makes sense given recent comments from Activision. The game will apparently run on the IW8 engine from Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2019, ensuring that the game has the most up-to-date graphics of any Call of Duty title released thus far. Though no specific details have been provide, it can be expected that it will rely heavily on traditional 6v6 gameplay, though a large-scale mode like Ground War or Fireteam is also possible.
With World War 2 not working as well for Battlefield 5 as it did in past game, it makes sense that DICE would want to stray far away from the setting with a near future Battlefield 6. Likewise, Call of Duty has near future covered with Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, making a return to World War 2 a logical next step. While both franchises have their own reasons for going in a different direction, it is interesting that 2018’s pattern has repeated itself. However, with both franchises seemingly featuring different tones, weapons, and settings, this role reversal could prove beneficial for both Battlefield and Call of Duty.
Battlefield 6 is rumored to be in development for unspecified platforms with a target release of Holiday 2021. Call of Duty 2021 is rumored to be in development for unspecified platforms.