Setting down their controllers in a solemn salute, faithful fans of the original Call of Duty: Warzone wave goodbye to the Verdansk map and memorable Gulag face-offs. This iconic gaming experience, which debuted in 2020 as a free-to-play adjunct to 2019’s Call of Duty: Modern Warfare reboot, will be calling it a day on September 21st, 2023, as revealed recently by Activision.
Memories of Verdansk: The Rise and Fall of Original Call of Duty: Warzone
Looking back, the original Call of Duty: Warzone seems a distant memory. With its layered and complex Verdansk map, it stormed the gaming scene, revolutionising the battle royale genre. But, as with life, change is inevitable, and Activision followed this golden rule, giving the game a makeover that would make even a plastic surgeon blush.
The Warzone of today is like looking at a baby photo and wondering how we got to the pimply teenager. Verdansk was ousted from its throne, replaced by the Pacific-themed Caldera map, tied closely to COD: Vanguard. Caldera’s debut, however, was like a lukewarm cup of tea, leading to a significant drop in gamer enthusiasm.
Warzone 2.0: The New Face of Call of Duty
Despite Caldera’s lacklustre performance, Activision maintained a pulse on the original Call of Duty: Warzone servers. They lingered even after Warzone’s successor, creatively titled Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0, emerged. Now, though, Activision is undergoing a rebranding phase.
Warzone 2.0 has morphed simply into Call of Duty: Warzone, and the original version is set for its digital demise come September. The reason? Activision is channelling resources into its newer game version and future projects such as Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile, which is expected to roll out soon.
On the flip side, those who invested in Call of Duty: Warzone skins will feel the pinch as they lose access to them in the battle royale mode. The silver lining is these skins and other cosmetics will remain usable in core Call of Duty titles, like Modern Warfare, Black Ops Cold War, and Vanguard. Still, for those who were loyal to the battle royale experience, it’s fair to say their joy may be somewhat tarnished.
Many players might have already shifted their allegiance to the sequel, rendering the shutdown of the original Warzone less poignant. Call of Duty: Warzone, formerly known as 2.0, now boasts three maps for players to skirmish on, including the recently added Vondel map from the Season 4 update. Rumour mills are hinting at yet another map coming soon, although official news remains elusive.
Until its sunset date on September 21st, Call of Duty: Warzone continues to be accessible for Windows PC, PS4, and Xbox One enthusiasts.
About The Author
Stephen is the proud owner of a popular gaming news website GLN, where he provides the latest updates on everything gaming-related. With a passion for video games that dates back to his childhood, Stephen is dedicated to sharing his knowledge and expertise with fellow gamers around the world.