We’re gearing up for yet another showdown between Call of Duty and Battlefield this year, and the differences in how these two franchises handle their portrayal of military aesthetics are captivating. The growing frustration over nonsensical cosmetic items in Call of Duty has led to it becoming the negative example against which Battlefield 6 aims to benchmark itself.

In contrast to the bizarre direction of Call of Duty’s character designs, Battlefield Studios has made it clear that their objective is a more serious approach. “It has to be grounded. That’s how BF3 and BF4 were—it was all soldiers, on the ground,” they assert. They want to avoid introducing outlandish skins that distort the game’s military realism, as is common in Call of Duty.

“Time will tell if Battlefield 6 truly adheres to this mission,” the article points out, highlighting the unpredictable nature of player preferences and the potential temptation to monetize flashy skins.

Meanwhile, Treyarch’s Call of Duty team appears evasive about their own stance on cosmetic changes, suggesting they wish to balance fan requests with ongoing design trends. Miles Leslie, an associate creative director, stated, “We always try to ensure we’re addressing a wide audience and we’re constantly responsive to community feedback.”

This seemingly cautious approach leaves room for collaboration with popular culture and commercial trends, leading to a blend of aesthetics that may not satisfy all.

Consequently, as Battlefield 6 sticks closely to its promise of authenticity, it remains to be seen how effectively both franchises can navigate the cosmetic landscape while retaining core gaming values.