Was Blackout Before Warzone? Unraveling the Call of Duty Battle Royale Timeline
Yes, Blackout came before Warzone. Blackout was the first battle royale mode in the Call of Duty franchise, debuting in Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 in 2018. Warzone, on the other hand, was released nearly a year and a half later, on March 10, 2020, as a standalone free-to-play title. This difference in release dates highlights a critical shift in how Call of Duty approached the battle royale genre. Blackout was a paid experience integrated within a full Call of Duty game, while Warzone adopted a free-to-play model, significantly expanding its reach and player base. Let’s delve deeper into the history, differences, and legacy of these two pivotal battle royale experiences within the Call of Duty universe.
The Dawn of Blackout: Call of Duty’s First Battle Royale
Blackout’s Integration into Black Ops 4
Blackout, launched as part of Call of Duty: Black Ops 4, was a bold move for the franchise. It opted to forgo a traditional single-player campaign, placing all its bets on a robust multiplayer experience that included the classic zombies mode and the brand-new battle royale mode. This decision was met with both excitement and skepticism, but ultimately, Blackout became a defining feature of the game.
The Blackout Map and Its Characteristics
The Blackout map was groundbreaking for its time. It was one of the largest maps ever seen in a Call of Duty game, incorporating various iconic locations from previous Black Ops titles, such as Firing Range, Nuketown Island, and Raid (Estates). The map design promoted a mixture of open field skirmishes and close-quarters combat. Unlike other battle royale games, Blackout focused on a more tactical approach, with limited loot spawns encouraging strategic movement and combat. This emphasis on careful planning and well-timed engagements helped set it apart from its contemporaries.
Blackout’s Success and Shortcomings
While Blackout garnered significant praise for its innovative approach, it also faced some challenges. Being a paid mode within a premium game meant it didn’t achieve the massive reach of other free-to-play battle royale titles. Despite this limitation, it proved highly popular, especially among Call of Duty’s dedicated fanbase. The mode’s tight gameplay, satisfying gunplay, and high-stakes engagements kept players engaged, proving that Call of Duty could compete in the burgeoning battle royale arena.
Warzone’s Emergence and the Shifting Battle Royale Landscape
Warzone’s Free-to-Play Launch
Warzone arrived at a pivotal moment. Launched during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, its free-to-play nature allowed it to explode in popularity. Unlike Blackout, Warzone was available to anyone with an internet connection and the ability to download it, thus amassing a massive player base quickly. This free-to-play approach was instrumental in the success of Warzone.
Warzone’s Features and Expansion
Warzone introduced its own unique gameplay elements, including Plunder, a respawn-focused mode based on collecting in-game currency, and the more traditional Battle Royale mode. It featured a single, large map called Verdansk, supporting up to 150 players. What further solidified its appeal was its deep integration with other Call of Duty titles, particularly Modern Warfare (2019), Black Ops Cold War, and Vanguard. This integration meant players could use the weapons, operators, and content across these games, creating a unified experience.
Warzone’s Impact on Blackout
The release of Warzone directly impacted Blackout. The free-to-play nature and greater accessibility of Warzone caused a significant migration of players away from Black Ops 4. Even though some players eventually returned to Blackout due to perceived shortcomings in Warzone, the shift to Warzone was undeniable, demonstrating how a successful title can quickly overshadow its predecessor.
Blackout vs. Warzone: A Comparison
Gameplay Differences
While both modes are battle royale experiences, they differ in many fundamental aspects. Blackout emphasized a tactical approach with sparse loot and intense close-quarter combat. In contrast, Warzone favored a faster pace, with more readily available loot and the ability to redeploy fallen teammates via the Gulag. Warzone’s vehicle options and loadout system further differentiated it from the grounded experience of Blackout.
Map Design
The map design also varied significantly. The Blackout map was a patchwork of familiar locations, focusing on tightly designed combat zones and varied terrain. Warzone’s Verdansk map, later replaced by Caldera, was more expansive and had its own identity, integrating elements from previous Modern Warfare games.
Overall Impact
Both Blackout and Warzone made important contributions to the battle royale genre. Blackout demonstrated that Call of Duty could successfully enter this competitive arena, while Warzone revolutionized how the franchise integrated and built upon its battle royale experience. Blackout is the first and most important step for Call of Duty to enter into the battle royale world, while Warzone was a further evolution in this genre.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What game was Blackout originally in?
Blackout was a battle royale game mode featured in Call of Duty: Black Ops 4.
2. When did Warzone officially launch?
Warzone was released on March 10, 2020.
3. What was the original name of Warzone 1 after Warzone 2.0 was released?
The original Warzone was renamed Warzone Caldera after the release of Warzone 2.0.
4. Is Warzone still playable?
The original Warzone, now called Warzone Caldera, was shut down on September 21, 2023. However, the current Warzone experience is still actively playable.
5. What was the first battle royale mode in the Call of Duty franchise?
Blackout was the first battle royale mode in the Call of Duty franchise.
6. How large is the Blackout map compared to the original Warzone map?
The Blackout map is approximately 4 square kilometers, which is slightly larger than the original Warzone’s Verdansk map.
7. Was Blackout available on Call of Duty: Black Ops III?
While there is a “Blackout” Free Run course in Call of Duty: Black Ops III, it is not the same as the Blackout battle royale mode found in Black Ops 4.
8. Was there any integration between Blackout and other Call of Duty games?
No, Blackout was exclusively a part of Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 and did not integrate with other Call of Duty titles.
9. How many players could play in a Blackout match?
Blackout matches supported up to 100 players.
10. What was the player count in a standard Warzone match?
Warzone matches initially supported up to 150 players.
11. Did Warzone have a different game modes from Blackout?
Yes, in addition to Battle Royale, Warzone also featured modes like Plunder and Resurgence, not available in Blackout.
12. What are the notable locations on the Blackout map?
Some notable locations include Firing Range, Nuketown Island, Array, Raid (Estates), and Hydro Dam, many being iconic maps from older Black Ops titles.
13. Was the game Black Ops 3 before or after Black Ops 4?
Black Ops 3 came before Black Ops 4. Black Ops 3 was released in 2015 and Black Ops 4 in 2018.
14. Why did many players move from Blackout to Warzone?
The primary reason was Warzone’s free-to-play nature, increased accessibility, and greater support of game content, with the mode also being supported by new games after the first one.
15. Is Call of Duty considering bringing back Blackout?
There have been reports indicating that Call of Duty is exploring the possibility of bringing back Blackout, though no official announcement has been made.
Conclusion
While Blackout was a pioneering effort in bringing the battle royale experience to Call of Duty, Warzone took that foundation and expanded it into a massive free-to-play phenomenon. Although Blackout was first, Warzone ultimately changed the landscape of the franchise. The timeline of releases clearly shows that Blackout came before Warzone, and understanding this historical context provides a deeper appreciation for the evolution of the battle royale genre within the Call of Duty universe.