What is Call of Duty: The Haunting? Your Guide to the Spookiest Event in Warzone and Modern Warfare!
The Haunting is a limited-time seasonal event in the Call of Duty franchise, primarily transforming Warzone and Modern Warfare (and now, Modern Warfare II and Modern Warfare III depending on the year) with a dark and terrifying theme. Imagine the familiar battle royale or multiplayer maps, but drenched in nighttime darkness, swarming with zombies, monsters, and other Halloween-inspired horrors. Players can expect new game modes, spooky cosmetic bundles, and challenges designed to scare and thrill. The core concept typically involves incorporating zombies into the gameplay, often with unique twists such as players becoming zombies upon elimination or fighting against hordes of undead creatures. Think of it as a Halloween-themed takeover of your favorite Call of Duty experiences!
Diving Deeper into The Haunting
The Haunting isn’t just a simple re-skin; it’s a comprehensive event that reshapes the gameplay experience. Key elements often include:
- Limited-Time Modes: These modes introduce new ways to play, often revolving around zombies or other horror elements. Examples include modes where eliminated players become zombies or modes that require players to survive waves of increasingly difficult enemies.
- Map Changes: Existing maps are often altered with spooky decorations, nighttime settings, and the addition of new locations or points of interest that tie into the horror theme.
- Zombie Integration: A central part of The Haunting is the integration of zombies. This can range from zombies roaming the map as AI enemies to players transforming into zombies upon death.
- Cosmetic Bundles: The in-game store is filled with Halloween-themed character skins, weapon blueprints, charms, and other cosmetic items, allowing players to customize their look for the spooky season.
- Challenges and Rewards: Players can complete specific challenges during The Haunting to earn exclusive rewards, such as weapon blueprints, calling cards, and emblems.
A History of Fear: Previous Hauntings
The Haunting has become a recurring event, with each iteration bringing fresh scares and unique content. Past Hauntings have included:
- The Haunting of Verdansk (Warzone, Modern Warfare): This event introduced the iconic nighttime Verdansk map, along with the “Zombie Royale” mode where eliminated players became zombies.
- The Haunting (Black Ops Cold War, Warzone): This version featured Ghostface and Donnie Darko as playable characters, as well as new modes and challenges.
- The Haunting (Modern Warfare II, Warzone 2.0): The more recent Hauntings have continued to build on this foundation, introducing new monsters and a new battle pass specific to the spooky season.
Each year, The Haunting offers something new and terrifying, keeping players on the edge of their seats.
Why The Haunting is So Popular
The success of The Haunting lies in its ability to blend the familiar Call of Duty gameplay with the excitement and atmosphere of Halloween. It offers a unique and engaging experience that appeals to both casual and hardcore players. The addition of zombies, spooky cosmetics, and challenging gameplay keeps players coming back for more. Also, the unique blend of horror and action provides a refreshing change of pace from the standard Call of Duty experience, offering an unforgettable gaming adventure. You can discover more about how games engage people at the GamesLearningSociety.org website.
Call of Duty: The Haunting – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is The Haunting a separate game?
No, The Haunting is a limited-time event that takes place within existing Call of Duty games, primarily Warzone and the current year’s Modern Warfare or Black Ops title. It’s not a standalone game.
2. When does The Haunting typically start?
The Haunting usually launches in October, coinciding with the Halloween season. Keep an eye on official Call of Duty channels for specific dates.
3. Is The Haunting free to play?
The Haunting event is generally free to participate in, especially within Warzone, which is a free-to-play game. However, some cosmetic items and bundles associated with The Haunting may require purchase.
4. What kind of zombies can I expect?
The types of zombies vary from event to event. You might encounter traditional shambling zombies, fast-moving sprinters, or even specialized zombie types with unique abilities.
5. Can I play as a zombie?
In some iterations of The Haunting, yes! Certain game modes allow eliminated players to transform into zombies and hunt down remaining human players.
6. What are the rewards for participating in The Haunting?
Rewards typically include weapon blueprints, operator skins, calling cards, emblems, and other cosmetic items. These are usually earned by completing challenges specific to the event.
7. Are the map changes permanent after The Haunting ends?
No, the map changes and spooky decorations are temporary and will revert back to their original state once The Haunting event concludes.
8. Does The Haunting affect my stats or rank?
Generally, The Haunting game modes do not affect your core stats or rank in the base game, unless specifically stated otherwise.
9. Will The Haunting come back every year?
While there’s no guarantee, The Haunting has become a recurring event in recent years, suggesting it will likely return annually.
10. What Call of Duty games has The Haunting been featured in?
The Haunting has primarily been featured in Warzone, Modern Warfare (2019), Black Ops Cold War, Modern Warfare II (2022) and Warzone 2.0.
11. Do I need to own Modern Warfare to participate in The Haunting in Warzone?
No, you do not need to own Modern Warfare to participate in The Haunting within Warzone, as Warzone is a free-to-play game.
12. Can I use my existing weapons and operators during The Haunting?
Yes, you can typically use your existing weapons and operators in The Haunting game modes, unless the mode has specific restrictions.
13. Are there any new weapons introduced during The Haunting?
While not always the case, The Haunting may introduce new weapons alongside the event, which can be unlocked through gameplay or purchased through bundles.
14. How long does The Haunting event last?
The Haunting usually lasts for a few weeks, typically spanning the weeks leading up to and around Halloween.
15. Where can I find more information about the current Haunting event?
Stay tuned to the official Call of Duty website, social media channels, and in-game announcements for the latest news, updates, and details about The Haunting. You can also see game design concepts being applied in different learning scenarios at the Games Learning Society.