Battlefield 6’s new live-action trailer is causing quite a stir in the gaming community, with a group of celebrities, including Zac Efron, getting blown up by a missile in a not-so-subtle jab at Call of Duty. The trailer, released by Electronic Arts on September 28, features a group of celebs dressed as soldiers, only to meet a fiery end just 24 seconds in. The soldiers in the trailer seem unfazed by the explosion, with one nonchalantly asking, “Who was that?” and another responding that it “doesn’t matter” before ordering everyone to move out.
The trailer seems to be a direct response to Call of Duty’s use of celebrities in their own live-action ads over the years. While EA doesn’t explicitly mention Call of Duty, the message is clear. Call of Duty has faced criticism for its over-the-top and unrealistic approach in recent years, with Battlefield 6 doubling down on gritty and realistic military combat. Fans seem to appreciate EA’s commitment to staying true to the roots of the franchise, as evidenced by the positive comments on the trailer.
It’s unlikely that Battlefield 6 will outsell Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 this year, but EA’s FPS is poised to make a dent in the rival shooter series. Activision is taking notice of Battlefield 6’s impact and has made changes in response, such as revising plans for skins and collaboration deals. The news of EA’s acquisition by Saudi Arabia’s PIF and other investors, including Jared Kushner’s investment firm, has added a layer of complexity to Battlefield 6’s rollout. Battlefield 6 is set to launch on October 10 for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, while Black Ops 7 will follow in November. Both games will not be available on the rumored Switch 2 platform.
