It’s funny how quickly loyalties can shift in the gaming world — and few examples illustrate that better than PlayStation’s evolving relationship with the first-person shooter genre. For nearly a decade, Call of Duty was practically synonymous with PlayStation, thanks to Activision’s 2014 marketing deal with Sony. That partnership gave the platform exclusive content, early access bonuses, and co-branded bundles throughout the PS4 era. But after Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard, Sony wasted no time in finding a new FPS ally — this time, in Battlefield 6.
The changing of the guard became apparent when PlayStation unveiled a new advert for Battlefield 6, featuring clips from the game’s live-action trailer and ending with the tagline, “It All Goes Down on PS5.” Beyond its surface-level messaging, the partnership signals a deeper realignment within the console shooter ecosystem.
Perks for PS5 Players
Under this renewed partnership, PlayStation 5 players — especially PlayStation Plus subscribers — can look forward to a handful of exclusive gameplay benefits, including:
- Extra Tier Skips in Battle Passes when purchasing the Battlefield Pro token.
- Extended access to 2XP events, giving PlayStation players longer windows for boosted progression.
- Squad-wide XP bonuses if at least two players in a squad are on PS5.
These bonuses echo the types of incentives PlayStation fans enjoyed during the Call of Duty era. From exclusive game modes like Spec Ops in Modern Warfare (2019) to Zombies Onslaught in Black Ops Cold War, Sony’s ecosystem has long rewarded brand loyalty with timed or platform-specific content. Whether Battlefield 6 will follow a similar route with unique PS5 missions or skins remains to be seen — but history suggests it’s likely.
Shifting the FPS Landscape
More than just a marketing move, PlayStation’s partnership with Battlefield 6 represents a symbolic shift in the console FPS hierarchy. With Call of Duty now firmly entrenched under the Xbox umbrella, Sony needed a new first-person flagship — and ironically, it turned to Battlefield, a franchise historically tied to Xbox. After all, Microsoft previously served as the “official console” for Battlefield 1, Battlefield V, and Battlefield 2042.
This shift sets the stage for a fascinating new dynamic: the upcoming Black Ops 7 could spark direct comparisons not only in gameplay and sales but also in brand associations. For the first time in years, Call of Duty and Battlefield are no longer just competing shooters — they’re proxies for competing platforms, with each representing a different corner of the console ecosystem.
The Bigger Picture
Of course, there’s nuance to this rivalry. Xbox has increasingly blurred the lines between first-party and third-party publishing, expanding its presence on non-Microsoft platforms. Yet optics still matter. Right now, Battlefield is waving the PlayStation flag, and Call of Duty is rallying under Xbox’s banner — whether by design or coincidence, the lines have been drawn.
How long this alliance lasts remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the FPS landscape on consoles hasn’t looked this interesting in years.
What do you think about the PlayStation x Battlefield 6 partnership? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
