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What Call of Duty is Shutting Down: Understanding the Shifting Landscape of Warzone

The Call of Duty universe, a sprawling behemoth of first-person shooter action, is constantly evolving. Keeping track of which titles are active, which are being updated, and which are being sunset can be a challenge. Let’s cut through the noise and get right to the heart of the matter: Call of Duty: Warzone Caldera was shut down on September 21, 2023. This marks the end of an era for the original free-to-play battle royale experience that captivated millions.

The Demise of Warzone Caldera: Why Did It Happen?

Warzone Caldera, initially known as the original Call of Duty: Warzone, was rebranded when Warzone 2.0 (now simply known as Warzone) launched. The reasoning behind its shutdown boils down to resource allocation. Activision, the game’s publisher, opted to consolidate its development efforts and focus on future Call of Duty content, particularly the current free-to-play Warzone experience, which is built upon the Modern Warfare II and Modern Warfare III engine.

The decision, while understandable from a business perspective, sparked controversy among players. Many viewed Warzone Caldera as a haven for their hard-earned skins and cosmetic items, which did not transfer to Warzone 2.0. The shutdown effectively rendered those purchases unusable within the primary Call of Duty ecosystem. This angered many players.

The official explanation emphasized the need to dedicate resources to creating new and innovative experiences within the Warzone framework. By sunsetting Caldera, developers could concentrate on optimizing the core Warzone game, introducing fresh content, and ensuring a seamless and engaging experience for the majority of the player base. This included incorporating new maps, weapons, and gameplay mechanics.

What’s Next for Call of Duty? Modern Warfare III and Beyond

While Warzone Caldera is gone, the Call of Duty franchise is far from finished. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III (MWIII) launched globally on November 10, 2023, bringing a new single-player campaign, multiplayer modes, and the highly anticipated Modern Warfare Zombies experience. MWIII has garnered a lot of attention, as well as controversy due to its status as a direct continuation of the Modern Warfare II storyline.

The future looks busy. Activision confirmed that content from COD MWII weapons and more will carry over to 2023 title. Activision Blizzard will reportedly release a follow-up to 2022’s Call of Duty: Modern Warfare later in 2023. A new Call of Duty title will be coming out this year. Development for the game is led by Sledgehammer Games, in partnership with Infinity Ward. Development for Modern Warfare Zombies is led by Treyarch, working closely with Sledgehammer Games.

Activision is also developing Call of Duty 2024, speculated to be a sequel to Black Ops: Cold War titled Black Ops: Gulf War. The main character’s name suggests that the Call of Duty 2024 game will take place during the Gulf War.

The Ever-Evolving Warzone Experience

Warzone, the current iteration of the battle royale, continues to evolve. While it initially faced criticism for diverging from the gameplay and features of the original Warzone, Activision has listened to player feedback and is gradually reintroducing popular elements.

One significant development is the planned return of Rebirth Island and Fortune’s Keep in 2024. These smaller, more action-packed maps were fan favorites in the original Warzone, offering a faster-paced and more intense battle royale experience. Their reintroduction is a welcome sign for players who missed the frantic gameplay of the original Warzone. It was also revealed that both Rebirth Island and Fortune’s Keep would make their way to Warzone in 2024. The original Rebirth Island was actually a Blackout map, which Treyarch introduced alongside the frenetic, fast-paced Resurgence mode back in the Black Ops IIII days.

Furthermore, Microsoft have confirmed that Call of Duty Mobile will be superseded by Warzone Mobile, and be phased out once the latter releases. In a response to the remedies suggested by the UK’s CMA (Competition & Markets Authority), it was revealed that CoD: Mobile would be superseded by the upcoming release of Warzone Mobile.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about the Call of Duty landscape, addressing common concerns and providing clarity on the future of the franchise:

Is Warzone completely shutting down? No. Only Warzone Caldera was shut down. The current Warzone, which is an evolution of Warzone 2.0, remains active and is constantly being updated with new content.
Why did Activision shut down Warzone Caldera? To focus resources on the current Warzone experience and future Call of Duty content.
Can I still play Warzone Caldera? No, services for Warzone Caldera were permanently shut down on September 21, 2023.
Will my skins and cosmetic items from Warzone Caldera transfer to the current Warzone? No, unfortunately, skins and cosmetic items purchased in Warzone Caldera do not transfer to the current Warzone.
Is Verdansk coming back to Warzone? While not officially confirmed, the possibility exists. With the reinstatement of Rebirth Island and Fortune’s Keep, Verdansk could reappear in the near future.
What is Call of Duty 2023? Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III (MWIII) launched on November 10, 2023. Development for the game is led by Sledgehammer Games, in partnership with Infinity Ward. Development for Modern Warfare Zombies is led by Treyarch, working closely with Sledgehammer Games.
Will Call of Duty be exclusive to Xbox? No. Microsoft and PlayStation have signed a binding agreement to keep Call of Duty on PlayStation. Per a tweet from Xbox head Phil Spencer, the firm announced that Microsoft and Sony PlayStation have signed a legally-binding agreement to keep Call of Duty on all the relevant consoles in perpetuity.
Is Call of Duty Mobile being discontinued? Microsoft have confirmed that Call of Duty Mobile will be superseded by Warzone Mobile, and be phased out once the latter releases.
What is Call of Duty 2024? Call of Duty 2024 is rumored to be a sequel to Black Ops: Cold War, possibly titled Black Ops: Gulf War.
Who develops the Call of Duty games? Development is typically led by Sledgehammer Games, in partnership with Infinity Ward. Treyarch leads the development for Modern Warfare Zombies, working closely with Sledgehammer Games.
Will there be a new Call of Duty game every year? While historically there has been a new release every year, plans suggest supporting Modern Warfare II for two years before a new game in 2024.
Why was Zombies mode removed from Call of Duty Mobile? ZOMBIES mode was removed due to it not reaching the high quality level that we desire for all modes in Call of Duty: Mobile.
Will CoD leave PlayStation? “We are pleased to announce that Microsoft and PlayStation have signed a binding agreement to keep Call of Duty on PlayStation following the acquisition of Activision Blizzard,” Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer said on Twitter Sunday.
Is COD going to be every 2 years? While the 2022 Modern Warfare game remains on track, that game will be supported in full for two years ahead of a new game in 2024.
Is Warzone Caldera better than Warzone 2? If users have played Warzone 2 or own Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, they can still download and play Warzone Caldera. The game, however, lacks many essential elements. Warzone 2 introduced several new features, which caused Caldera to fade into obscurity and fail to thrive in the community.

Learning and Gaming: The Future of Play

The world of video games is more than just entertainment; it’s a powerful tool for learning, collaboration, and skill development. Organizations like the Games Learning Society (GamesLearningSociety.org) are at the forefront of exploring the educational potential of games, researching how they can be used to enhance learning outcomes and prepare individuals for the challenges of the 21st century. Through research and community building, the Games Learning Society fosters a deeper understanding of the positive impact of games on education and society as a whole.

The shutdown of Warzone Caldera is a reminder that the gaming landscape is always changing. While some titles may fade away, the passion and innovation within the Call of Duty community, and the broader gaming world, continue to drive the industry forward. By staying informed and embracing new experiences, players can continue to enjoy the thrill of competition, the joy of collaboration, and the endless possibilities that gaming offers.

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