Battlefield 6 vs Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 — Which Shooter Should You Play This Fall?
Two giant shooters, two very different styles. Here's how Battlefield 6 and Modern Warfare 4 compare on scale, modes, platforms and Game Pass.
This fall, shooter fans have a choice to make. Battlefield 6 is heading into its fifth season and joining Game Pass, while Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 launches on October 23. Both are excellent at what they do — but they do very different things.
Side by side
| Battlefield 6 | Modern Warfare 4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Release | October 2025 | October 23, 2026 |
| Style | Large-scale battles, vehicles, destruction | Faster, close-quarters combat |
| Big extra mode | REDSEC battle royale | DMZ extraction + Warzone integration |
| Platforms | PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC | PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, Switch 2 |
| Game Pass | Yes, from October 13 | Not at launch (reported) |
| What's new now | Season 5: Las Vegas maps | Brand-new game and campaign |
Gameplay: scale vs speed
Battlefield is all about chaos on a massive scale: big maps, tanks, helicopters and buildings that crumble around you. Teamwork and squad roles matter, and no two matches play out the same way.
Call of Duty is tighter and faster. Maps are smaller, fights are quicker, and individual skill and reflexes matter more. If you love quick matches and constant action, CoD delivers that like nothing else.
Beyond regular multiplayer
Battlefield 6 offers REDSEC, its battle royale, which gets a new Rapid Royale mode in Season 5. Modern Warfare 4 answers with a rebuilt DMZ — an extraction mode set in a huge exclusion zone, now with persistent progression and a home base — plus connected progression with Warzone.
Single-player
If you care about a story campaign, Modern Warfare 4 has the edge simply because it's brand new, with early access from October 16 for pre-orders. Battlefield 6's campaign has been out for a year.
Price and Game Pass
This is where Battlefield 6 pulls ahead for many players: it joins Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass on October 13, so subscribers can play at no extra cost. Modern Warfare 4 reportedly won't be on Game Pass at launch, so you'll need to buy it.
Platforms
Modern Warfare 4 is the only one of the two coming to Nintendo Switch 2. Neither game is available on PS4 or Xbox One.
Which should you play?
- Pick Battlefield 6 if you love big, cinematic battles, vehicles and teamwork — or you already pay for Game Pass.
- Pick Modern Warfare 4 if you want fast-paced action, a fresh campaign, DMZ, or you play on Switch 2.
- Can't decide? Try Battlefield 6 on Game Pass first, then wait for Modern Warfare 4 reviews after October 23.
Team Battlefield or Team Call of Duty?
Read more: Battlefield 6 on Game Pass · Modern Warfare 4: everything we know
Frequently asked questions
Is Battlefield 6 or Modern Warfare 4 better?
It depends on your style. Battlefield 6 is best for huge battles with vehicles and destruction, and it's on Game Pass from October 13, 2026. Modern Warfare 4 offers faster combat, a new campaign and the rebuilt DMZ mode.
Is Modern Warfare 4 on Game Pass?
According to reports, Modern Warfare 4 will not be on Game Pass at launch.
When does Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 come out?
October 23, 2026. Pre-orders get campaign early access from October 16 and DMZ early access from October 20.
Is Modern Warfare 4 on Nintendo Switch 2?
Yes. Modern Warfare 4 launches on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC and Nintendo Switch 2, but not on PS4 or Xbox One.
Sources: Xbox Wire, EA, Call of Duty, Kotaku. Images: Electronic Arts, Activision.
