August 7 is rapidly becoming a pivotal day for fans of first-person shooters.

Battlefield 6 has now confirmed that its early access beta will coincide with Call of Duty: Black Ops 6’s much-anticipated Season 5 update. It’s been four years since these franchises last faced off directly, making August 7 a noteworthy date in the gaming calendar.

There’s little doubt that Battlefield and Call of Duty are heavyweight names across the gaming landscape. Despite this, EA has yet to match Activision’s success with the Call of Duty franchise, which consistently dominates sales charts. In contrast, the last Battlefield game, Battlefield 2042, faced heavy criticism and poor reception due to various issues.

However, the upcoming Battlefield 6 might signal a turnaround. The first early access beta will be held from August 7 to 8, available only to those who secured codes through Twitch Drops during the multiplayer reveal. For players who missed out, two open beta weekends will follow, from August 9 to 10 and August 14 to 17.

Battlefield and Call of Duty Will Go Head-to-Head on August 7

Given that Call of Duty consistently tops charts, launching its beta alongside Black Ops 6 is a bold maneuver for EA. This could indicate a strong belief in Battlefield 6’s potential to challenge its competitor, particularly as some gamers are growing weary of Call of Duty’s recent offerings which face criticism for their cosmetic items and content updates.

Perhaps the most significant aspect is EA’s suggestion that Battlefield 6 will adopt a more realistic approach to cosmetics, a change many Call of Duty fans have long desired. If this shift resonates with gamers, it could provide Battlefield 6 a competitive edge moving forward.