Miles Leslie, associate creative director for Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, recently shared his thoughts on the direct competition from Battlefield 6 in 2025. This year marks the first time since 2021 that both major first-person shooter franchises will launch new titles in the same calendar year. Speaking to IGN, Leslie acknowledged playing the Battlefield 6 open beta, calling it “a fun game,” but emphasized that Activision`s focus remains squarely on their own project.
Leslie stated, “We are fans of all games and draw inspiration from various sources. However, our primary focus is on perfecting our own craft. They are doing their thing.” He added that the team`s internal satisfaction during playtesting is a strong indicator that fans will also enjoy the final product. “We are fans of the FPS genre and many other games. Let`s all have fun,” he concluded, promoting a spirit of enjoyment within the gaming community.
When asked about criticisms regarding Call of Duty`s perceived lack of innovation in annual releases, Leslie dismissed them. He explained that developers prioritize their vision and creating an enjoyable experience. “There will always be those who try to undermine you with unconstructive criticism, which we distinguish from positive feedback we genuinely seek. It`s like noise; you learn to filter it out and remain committed to your vision and plan,” he remarked.
Former Xbox executive Mike Ybarra controversially predicted that Battlefield 6 would “boot stomp” Black Ops 7, suggesting this competition would compel Call of Duty to innovate, ultimately benefiting FPS players. However, market analysts generally do not anticipate Battlefield 6 outselling Black Ops 7, largely due to Call of Duty`s consistent mass appeal to casual players who routinely purchase new installments regardless of perceived innovation. One research firm specifically advised Ybarra to adopt a more critical perspective.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 is set to launch on November 14, approximately a month after Battlefield 6`s anticipated release on October 10.