Call of Duty: Warzone’s March 2020 debut was a fairly big moment for the video game industry. ThoughCall of Dutyhad experimented with battle royale modes before with the likes ofBlack Ops 4’s Blackout mode,Call of Duty: Warzoneoffered a standalone, free-to-play battle royale experience on a larger scale than anything the franchise had attempted before. And withWarzonereleasing right at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, fans suddenly had a lot of time to spend with the new mode.
Over the course of almost two years, fans grew a very strong attachment toCall of Duty: Warzone’s first map, Verdansk. But as is the nature of the live-service genre, Verdansk wasn’t destined to live forever. 2021 brought theWW2-themed CalderatoCall of Duty: Warzone, which was eventually replaced by Al Mazrah in 2022, which itself was replaced in 2023 by Urzikstan. But despite now being a distant memory, many fans pleaded for the return of Verdansk. Those fans are finally getting their wish, with Verdansk set to return toCall of Duty: Warzonein 2025, and hopefully it can be more than just a fleeting burst of nostalgia.
Call of Duty: Warzone’s Verdansk Return Should Be More Than Just a Quick Hit of Nostalgia
Call of Duty: Warzone’s Verdansk Revival Could Borrow Fortnite OG’s Formula
It’s currently unclear exactly howVerdansk will return inCall of Duty: Warzone, i.e. if there will be any changes to the original map’s layout or its original mechanics. The best approach toCall of Duty: Warzone’s Verdansk revival might be to take a page out ofFortnite’s playbook, and follow its OG Season formula.
Back in November 2023,Fortnitereleased ‘Season OG,’ bringing back the battle royale’s very first map from 2017. Last month, Epic Games brought backFortnite’s OG mode, turning it into a permanent side mode that brings back the game’s original map and loot pool. Over time,Fortnite’s OG modewill gradually evolve, adding new loot and map changes in the order they originally appeared in, albeit at a slightly faster rate, with new OG seasons lasting only around a month or so.
Call of Duty: Warzone’s Verdansk revival should follow a similar approach. Verdansk should initially return in all of its original March 2020 glory, complete with the exact same map layout, vehicle placement, gulag rules, and weapons, offering an authentic throwback experience. But over time, Verdansk should be slowly updated with all the changes it received during its original life, such as the 1984 redesign that came withCall of Duty: Black Ops Cold War’s release, and seasonal events like the ‘Haunting of Verdansk.’
Verdansk has been playable inCall of Duty: Warzone Mobilesince March 2024.
Call of Duty: Warzone’s Verdansk Revival Could Go One Step Further
It’s currently unclear if Verdansk’s return will be a permanent addition toCall of Duty: Warzone, but if it is, it has the opportunity to go one step further thanFortnite OG.Call of Duty: Warzone’s revived version of Verdansk could eventually be updated with all-new content, such as new points of interest, new vehicles, and new seasonal events.
Call of Duty:Warzone’s developerswould need to ensure they’re not changing Verdansk too much as that would render the map’s revival redundant, but it might be fun to see some all-new content get added to the beloved map all these years later.
Call of Duty: Warzone
WHERE TO PLAY
Welcome to Call of Duty®: Warzone™, the massive free-to-play combat arena which now features Urzikstan, Rebirth Island and Fortune’s Keep.Turn the Heat UpPrepare to take the battle to a new metropolis in the all-new Urzikstan map, the new big Battle Royale map. Jump in to celebrate the epic return of Rebirth Island and Fortune’s Keep, two Resurgence maps that are sure to excite veterans and newcomers alike.Loot For RewardsDiscover supply boxes and complete contracts to build your arsenal and gain a tactical advantage.A Game Pass Core subscription is not required to play Call of Duty®: Warzone™. All other online modes still require Game Pass Core.A mobile phone number may be required to be linked to your Activision account to play Call of Duty®: Warzone™.
