Cowen has shown that both Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 and Red Dead Redemption 2 are in greater demand compared to the World War II shooter. The fact that these major titles are all releasing within just two weeks of one another and Battlefield V being sandwiched in the middle doesn’t do EA’s next big shooter any favors.
Battlefield V is EA’s biggest fall title and after the success of 2016’s Battlefield 1, the low pre-order sales for the title are likely disappointing for the company. Even though early pre-order sales don’t always represent a game’s overall success, Battlefield V releasing right next to two other big games will likely hurt its overall sales. In the past, Electronic Arts has seen its big titles hurt by release titles, like when Titanfall 2 was released just a week after Battlefield 1 and followed by Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare a week later.
Battlefield V’s low pre-order numbers could have to do with some of the criticism that EA has faced, most notably with last year’s Star Wars: Battlefront II and its loot box system. Even though EA has addressed many of these concerns from consumers, it left players less than pleased with the company. While EA tries to regain the trust of its consumers, the company has other issues to worry like the departure of EA’s Chief Design Officer Patrick Söderlund.
Even though early pre-order numbers are not a clear indicator for a game’s overall success, Battlefield V’s early sales should have the company concerned. Releasing such an important title next to other big games is always a bit risky. Despite EA scheduling release dates for games close to one another in the past, it seems like the company is doomed to repeat the same mistake once again.
Battlefield V is releasing October 19th on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC.
