So yeah, it is said to have been released today, and pre-orders of Call of Duty Black Ops 7 are up and lo and behold! For the very first time, I dare say, a new COD entry does not top the charts on the PlayStation Store immediately. In only three days after its reveal, the Vault Edition now sits peacefully at number 8. EIGHT. And, there’s another curve ball-the Vault Edition is sitting behind BOTH versions of Battlefield 6. Yeah, Battlefield; the series that everyone has been trying to dub the “COD killer” ever since 2008 but has never actually done in.
That is such a huge deal for the whole game industry. Call of Duty has been the unstoppable brand for literally years, right? Every November means they switch into overdrive. But now? Tell me another story through the pre-order numbers. Vault Edition specifically peaked at number 8 on the PS5 pre-order charts-that is just-not where COD usually lives. Normally, number one with a bullet.
And the player reactions? Pure chaos. Some are celebrating. One said, “You love to see it!” and others were very harsh with “Fuck cod. Run down ass game.” But, you get where it’s coming from: there’s a rift here. Some are actually saving that tweet for a day when COD somehow ends up outselling BF6 anyway, which could happen, pardon me. But right now? Not in the cards.
And then, there’s the whole issue of skins. One player stated that they’d watch how the skin system works before deciding. They also said to either wait for a sale or until the shop is fully implemented. And if there’s a skin toggle? Maybe they’ll decide to buy at launch. Big maybe. Feels like the buyers are over the very same old-it’s ridiculous skins, it’s futuristic gameplay too fast, the whole shebang. One comment captured it: “OG cod fans don’t want goofy skins and futuristic faster gameplay.” Activision is creating games now for streamers and not for day one fans.
And Battlefield 6? Sitting pretty at the top. People are actually pre-ordering that instead. “Holy shit, Battlefield might actually outsell CoD this year,” one player said. Being on GamePass is a huge advantage considering that many will play it without buying it anyway. But heck, everyone has been calling it “COD killer” for over a decade, so maybe this is finally the year? Or maybe not. Who’s to say?
But that’s not all. The leaks are coming in already. One of the replies shared a leaked Season 1 skin for Black Ops 7. Because, of course. Coy leaks are practically an institution nowadays. And another one is just praying the battle royale is good, because let’s face it, that’s really what’s going to keep the games alive on the long run.
Let the Xbox effect tick in: One player blamed Microsoft for “Xbox destroys everything it touches!” which is… let’s say an opinion. But, honestly, it’s probably more the game than anything else. Another player straight up said it just looks terrible. As simple as that.
Meanwhile, gotta love it for other games. Gears of War: Reloaded is narrowly losing to Ghost of Yotei, or well, better than Ghost of Yotei. That’s funny. And when Lego Batman and GTA 6 land next year—it’ll be curtains for everyone.
But back to COD: Pre-orders have gone live, which may push the sales up further. People say it’s pushing up every day, but starting at number eight is a bad sign. Not for a series that’s often number one from day one.
It’s insane to think about. Born too late for the Age of Discovery, too early for space exploration, but just in time to witness COD has its days. That’s what one player put it. And it feels like that. It’s happening-those players are tired and want something new or something Fresh! Were they all excited about recently? That’s where Battlefield 6 has been taking the limelight.
So what does it mean for Activision? Probably a wake-up call. They can’t just sell by the name anymore. They have to get a game out that people actually want to play instead of another annual release with the same problems. So, with the skin situation, the gameplay, all of it—they better listen. Or else.
And yeah, maybe COD will still outsell everyone in the end. It’s possible. But for now, seeing it at number 8 behind Battlefield? That’s the story for a particular day. And everyone’s watching to see what happens next. Will it climb? Will it stay? Time will tell. But one thing is for sure-the competition is heating up, and the pros are here for it. Finally, some real competition to the shooter genre. About time.
