BF6 launch week ramps up with Activision Black Ops 6 free trial trial including first-ever access to the event
Blog Andrew Joseph 08 Oct , 2025 0
Activision announces compelling free trial Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Happens to conflict with launch week for rival first-person shooter battlefield 6.
The one-week free trial of Black Ops 6, which includes for the first time ever full access to the campaign, as well as all multiplayer games (excluding ranked matches) and Zombies, starts on October 9 at 9 AM PT, just one day before its October 10 release date, and ends on October 16 at 10AM PT.
Black Ops 6 Trials even includes new content in the haunting update, such as Gravity, Rig, and Mothball multiplayer maps, Haunted Zombies limited-time mode, and more.
Although Activision hasn't come out yet and says the trial is a direct attack on EA's Battlefield 6 launch, fans are under no illusions about the optics here. It's worth noting that Black Ops 6 is already playable through Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass, but the trial will benefit basic and premium users on Xbox on PlayStation and Steam.
It's the latest salvo in the popcorn-worthy back and forth between Activision and EA, with big-budget FPSs from every big publisher vying for the hearts and minds of the gaming community this holiday season.
In August, Activision shocked the Call of Duty community It confirms Black Ops 6 operators, operator skins and weapons will no longer carry over to Black Ops 7. This is a big surprise for players who were expecting the content they purchased for Black Ops 6, just like previous titles did. Explaining the decision, Activision said Black Ops 7 “needs to feel authentic to Call of Duty and its setting.”
The feeling is that Activision is feeling the heat of Battlefield 6, which has a more grounded aesthetic. Developer Dice says it has no plans to release crossover skins that would ruin the aesthetic of Battlefield 6with assurances that the developers are listening to fan feedback.
recently interviewed dbltapBattlefield 6 design director Shashank Uchil doubled down on EA's commitment to grounded realism, even stating Call of Duty’s Infamous Nicki Minaj Skin As something not needed in Battlefield 6.
“It's got to be rooted,” he said. “That's what BF3 and BF4 are – all the soldiers on the ground. That's how it's going to be,” Uchir said.
He added: “I don't think it needs Nicki Minaj. Let's keep it real and keep it grounded.”
Then, last month, EA stepped up its Battlefield 6 marketing, Direct jab at Call of Duty with new live-action trailer. recent, Activision expands Black Ops 7 Open Beta As of October 9, it will run for another 24 hours, bringing it up to Battlefield 6's release date.
Both games were critical releases for their publishers. Battlefield 6 leads the charge, releasing Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Counterattack on November 14th, on October 10th. It will be interesting to see which of the two big publishers is the happiest.
Wesley is IGN's News Director. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at [email protected] or confidentially at [email protected].