The rivalry between gaming giants Activision and EA hit its peak on October 28, 2025. EA launched the free-to-play Battle Royale mode, Battlefield: REDSEC, while Activision fired back by reopening free access to Call of Duty: Black Ops 6's Multiplayer and Zombies modes.

This strategic move escalates the competition, aiming to keep their player bases engaged and loyal.

Why the Same Day? The Battle of Tactics

This marks the second time this year that Activision has timed its main game event to coincide with a major Battlefield launch—a clear attempt to split REDSEC's potential player base.

Activision’s Triple Strategy:

1. Pull Players from REDSEC: Keep gamers in the CoD ecosystem with the latest free The Haunting event and Zombies content, instead of letting them try out the new permanent Battle Royale.

2. Set Up for Black Ops 7: End the free access just before the November launch of Black Ops 7, nudging players to upgrade to the next title.

3. Defend Market Dominance: Show a strong stance against Battlefield’s potential growth with its new free model.

The Bottom Line: Gamers Win

Battlefield: REDSEC opens the door to the franchise for free, while Black Ops 6 delivers a full multiplayer experience—even if just for a week.

This showdown means players come out on top. Over the next week, FPS fans can jump into the best both franchises have to offer—at the same time.

What’s your pick this week? Hunting zombies in Black Ops 6 or fighting to survive in REDSEC?