Battlefield 6 Launches Free Week Trial to Capitalize on Call of Duty's Struggles

EA has launched a free one-week trial for Battlefield 6, running from November 25 through December 2, strategically timed to coincide with the Thanksgiving holiday weekend and capitalize on rival Call of Duty: Black Ops 7's disappointing launch performance.

The trial, which went live at 12 PM UTC on November 25, gives players access to five multiplayer modes and three maps across all platforms—PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Players can download the trial through the free-to-play Battlefield: REDSEC client, which is already available as a standalone battle royale experience.

What's Included in the Free Trial

The free trial features three distinct playlists designed to showcase different aspects of Battlefield 6's multiplayer experience. Players will have access to three maps: Siege of Cairo, Blackwell Fields, and the newly released Eastwood, which is set in an affluent California suburb and supports large-scale land and air warfare.

The five available modes include Conquest, Breakthrough, Team Deathmatch, Sabotage (a new limited-time mode), and Escalation. However, the trial does not include access to the single-player campaign.

One of the most player-friendly aspects of the trial is full progression carryover. Any progress made during the free week—including Career Rank, Hardware Unlocks, weapon levels, and customization items—will transfer to the full game if players decide to purchase it. For existing REDSEC players, all their progress from the battle royale mode also carries over into the trial.

Strategic Timing Against Call of Duty

The timing of Battlefield 6's free trial is no accident. EA is positioning the trial to pull players away from Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, which has struggled significantly since its November 14 launch. Black Ops 7 has faced widespread criticism for technical issues, broken AI, and disappointing sales figures that are down 61% compared to Black Ops 6's physical launch.

The trial launches perfectly timed for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend in the United States, giving players with four-day weekends ample time to experience what EA has been calling the Best Selling Shooter of 2025. Battlefield 6 has already sold over seven million copies since its October 10 launch and has been praised as the best Battlefield game in over a decade.

Additionally, EA is sweetening the deal with a free Lethal Force weapon package for the M2010 ESR Sniper Rifle, available to anyone who logs into REDSEC or Battlefield 6 before November 30. The weapon package includes customization options and is designed to be effective in both battle royale and traditional multiplayer modes.

Season 1 Content Drives Interest

The free trial coincides with Battlefield 6's Season 1: California Resistance content update, which adds the Eastwood map and introduces the time-limited Sabotage mode. The update also includes weapon balancing improvements, including reworked aim assist and fine-tuned weapon consistency based on player feedback.

The trial is clearly designed to convert fence-sitters and pull players from competing shooters. With Black Ops 7 struggling with cheaters, poor reviews, and disappointing player counts, EA has a significant opportunity to expand Battlefield 6's player base during what is typically one of the busiest gaming periods of the year.

For players interested in trying Battlefield 6, the trial offers a comprehensive look at the core multiplayer experience without any financial commitment, making it an ideal opportunity to see if the game lives up to its reputation as a return to form for the franchise.