When Call of Duty: Warzone dropped in March 2020, it marked a pretty big milestone for the gaming world. Sure, Call of Duty had dabbled in battle royale with Black Ops 4’s Blackout, but Warzone was something else entirely—a standalone, free-to-play battle royale on a much grander scale than anything the series had tackled before. And with its timing coinciding perfectly with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, it quickly became the go-to pastime for fans eager for new experiences.
Over nearly two years, players developed a strong connection to Warzone’s inaugural map, Verdansk. But as live-service games often do, Warzone evolved, and Verdansk had to step aside. In its place came the WWII-themed Caldera in 2021, followed by Al Mazrah in 2022, and then Urzikstan in 2023. Despite its departure, fans longed for Verdansk, and now, they’re finally being heard. Verdansk is slated for a comeback in Warzone by 2025, and it promises to be more than just a nostalgic flashback.
Although it’s uncertain how Verdansk will make its entrance back into Warzone or what tweaks might be made to its original layout or features, there’s an opportunity here. Maybe drawing inspiration from Fortnite’s successful return to its roots would be a good move. Last year, Fortnite introduced ‘Season OG,’ reviving its original 2017 map as a side mode with its classic loot, offering players a nostalgic yet evolving experience with each new OG season being brief but impactful.
For Verdansk, starting with its classic March 2020 setup—complete with original map layout, vehicle placements, gulag rules, and weaponry—could provide that authentic trip down memory lane. Gradually, it could be updated with tweaks it received during its initial run, like its 1984 revamp and celebrated seasonal events like ‘The Haunting of Verdansk.’
It’s worth mentioning that Verdansk has been part of Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile since early 2024. Its return to the main game could either be a limited-time event or, if we’re lucky, a permanent re-addition that takes things a step further than Fortnite’s OG strategy. New points of interest, vehicles, and seasonal events could breathe fresh life into the map without straying too far from what made it special in the first place.
Ultimately, bringing back Verdansk should aim to respect its legacy while also opening the door for new possibilities, keeping fans both old and new engaged and eager to dive back in.
