Call of Duty: Warzone’s Area 99 and Verdansk Could Be a Perfect 1-2 Punch

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Call of Duty: Warzone's Area 99 and Verdansk Could Be a Perfect 1-2 Punch

Key Takeaways

  • The new Area 99 and returning Verdansk will coexist in Warzone’s Black Ops 6 era, offering varied experiences that should appeal to all nostalgic fans.
  • Area 99 brings Blackout vibes to Resurgence, while Verdansk will return in Spring 2025 with its original POIs, appealing to OG Warzone lovers.
  • Warzone’s latest era aims to satisfy fans by either bringing back or taking inspiration from the Call of Duty series’ oldest battle royale content.

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades under my belt, I’ve seen the evolution of Call of Duty like a silent spectator watching the rise and fall of empires. The latest revelations about Warzone’s new maps have left me both nostalgic and excited.

The upcoming direction for the Call of Duty series has become more transparent due to the August 28 Call of Duty Next event. This event provided additional information about the next version of Warzone, as well as Zombies and core multiplayer for Black Ops 6. As a result of this event, fans were able to witness early gameplay of Warzone in the Black Ops 6 era, and details were also revealed about which maps will be included in the battle royale’s upcoming versions.

It appeared logical that Call of Duty: Warzone would get a fresh map aligned with Black Ops Cold War’s themes and environment, as hinted by its official unveiling of the Area 99 map. To the astonishment of some gamers, though, it was also announced that the original Warzone map, Verdansk, will eventually reappear in the game together with Area 99. The compact size and numerous Points of Interest (POIs) of Area 99 bear a strong resemblance to Call of Duty’s initial Blackout battle royale mode, while Verdansk recreates a nostalgic feel for the more contemporary Warzone experience, potentially catering to fans with diverse preferences in the Black Ops Cold War era.

Call of Duty: Warzone’s New Maps Are Hoping to Capture the Best of Both Worlds

It’s evident that Area 99 represents a significant mark Treyarch and Raven Software aim to make on Warzone during the Black Ops 6 period. This map seems to be a tribute to some of the most memorable moments in the Black Ops series, with its design heavily inspired by Nuketown – arguably the map that best represents Black Ops multiplayer. The original area is expanded upon to reveal nearby shipping and testing facilities.

In contrast to the standard large-scale Warzone battles, Area 99 is designed to be a more compact map for the Resurgence mode, which permits players to respawn if any teammate remains alive. This design may spark recognition in fans of Black Ops 4’s Blackout mode, as Area 99 bears resemblance to Nuketown Island, one of Blackout’s most popular Points of Interest (POIs). Despite its smaller dimensions, Area 99 seems to mimic a structure and layout that is quite similar to Blackout, with its underground area evoking images of Nuketown Island’s bunker, while the addition of POIs such as the Pods serve as reminders of classic maps like Blackout. It appears that Treyarch aims to honor how Call of Duty (CoD) was initially introduced to the battle royale genre through Black Ops, and Area 99 seems like an effective method for achieving this tribute.

The Return of Verdansk Has Been a Long Time Coming

As far as typical gameplay in Warzone goes, Black Ops 6’s Battle Royale (BR) will commence with the existing Urzikstan map initially, but players won’t have to wait long before a well-known location resurfaces. It was just revealed that Verdansk is set to reappear in Warzone, and the anticipated release date for this iconic map falls within Spring 2025. Indeed, Verdansk was the map that initially put Warzone on the map, propelling the game into the limelight among the crowded battle royale genre, and has since evoked strong nostalgia in many fans.

A significant portion of the Warzone gaming community has been eagerly anticipating a comeback of Verdansk since it was replaced by the Caldera map in 2021. Although Verdansk made an appearance in the ’84 version of Cold War, and also showed up in Warzone Mobile, players yearned for a genuine, large-scale return. This wish will be granted next year as Verdansk is set to make its comeback, complete with all its original Points of Interest (POIs). Players can relive their experiences on the map with the added excitement of Black Ops 6‘s new weapons and tools.

The new setup for the “Black Ops 6” era of “Warzone” is very effective at attracting a large fan base, as it offers players a diverse range of pacing and feel in their “Warzone” gameplay. Although Area 99 may not be a full reprise of “Blackout” that some fans were anticipating, its design and locations are comparable, while supporters of “Call of Duty’s” more recent Battle Royale history have the opportunity to return to what is likely “Warzone’s” most successful map yet.

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2024-08-30 13:23