The Fate of Warzone 1: What Happened When Warzone 2 Arrived?
When Warzone 2.0 launched, the landscape of Call of Duty’s battle royale scene shifted dramatically, and the fate of Warzone 1, also known as Warzone Caldera, was ultimately sealed. In short, the release of Warzone 2.0 meant the end of official support for Warzone 1. While it continued to exist for a period as a separate entity called Warzone Caldera, it was a temporary reprieve. Activision ultimately shut down all servers for Warzone Caldera on September 21, 2023, making the game completely unplayable. This was a pivotal moment, marking the end of an era for many players. The move was a strategic decision by Activision to consolidate its resources and focus on the future of the franchise.
The Transition from Warzone to Warzone 2.0
The initial release of Warzone 1 on March 10, 2020, was a phenomenal success. Its launch coincided with global lockdowns, leading to a massive surge in popularity. It quickly became a cultural phenomenon, drawing players with its engaging gameplay, integration of weapons and content from Modern Warfare (2019), Black Ops Cold War, and Vanguard, and the large-scale battles in maps like Verdansk and later Caldera.
However, the arrival of Warzone 2.0, initially released alongside Modern Warfare II, signalled a new direction for the franchise. Activision chose not to maintain two live, evolving battle royale experiences simultaneously. Instead, they made the decision to effectively discontinue the live services of Warzone 1 and rebrand it as Warzone Caldera, an unsupported separate game. This allowed players to continue playing, but with no future updates. This move was a conscious decision to streamline resources and focus on the new iteration of Warzone.
The Shutdown of Warzone Caldera
Although Warzone 1 initially lived on as Warzone Caldera, it was never intended to be a long-term solution. The lack of ongoing support was a clear indication that its days were numbered. Activision officially announced in June of 2023, that they would shut down all servers for Warzone Caldera in September of 2023. This decision was made so they could focus their resources on future Call of Duty content including Warzone 2.0, and eventually, the new map for Warzone, Urzikstan, which was announced with the release of Modern Warfare III.
On September 21, 2023, the servers for Warzone Caldera were officially shut down, meaning players could no longer access or play the game. This decision was met with mixed reactions from the community. While some understood the need to focus on the new iteration, others mourned the loss of the game that had provided them with countless hours of entertainment. Once that date arrived, the Caldera map and the content available within it became unavailable forever.
What Happened to Player Progress and Cosmetics?
A significant concern for players was the fate of their progress, cosmetics, and other content acquired in Warzone 1. Activision assured players that all content purchased or earned in Warzone 1 would still be available in their respective associated multiplayer modes – Modern Warfare (2019), Black Ops Cold War, and Vanguard. While this was some comfort to many users, players were unable to transfer that content into Warzone 2.0.
Why Was Warzone 1 Shut Down?
The key reason for the shutdown of Warzone 1 was Activision’s decision to consolidate its resources and focus on the new Warzone 2.0 experience and future content. Maintaining multiple live service battle royale titles simultaneously is costly and resource intensive. By shutting down Warzone Caldera, Activision aimed to streamline development and provide a better overall experience for the majority of its player base by concentrating on one unified platform.
The Future of Warzone
Despite the end of Warzone 1, the Warzone experience is continuing with Warzone 2.0 which has also seen several major updates and adjustments, and the inclusion of new maps like Urzikstan. Activision has made it clear that they are committed to the continued development of the Warzone franchise and it is likely that future Call of Duty titles will come with updates and new experiences for the Warzone players.
The Legacy of Warzone 1
While Warzone 1 is no longer playable, its impact on the gaming industry is undeniable. It redefined the battle royale genre and introduced a new generation of players to the world of Call of Duty. The game’s popularity during the lockdown period also demonstrated the ability of video games to provide social connection and entertainment during difficult times. Although Verdansk and Caldera are no longer available in any official capacity, their memories and impacts on the gaming community live on. There are even rumors, based on the announcement of some other fan-favorite maps returning, that Verdansk could also potentially return in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Was Warzone 1 still playable after the launch of Warzone 2.0?
Yes, Warzone 1 was temporarily playable after the launch of Warzone 2.0, but as a separate, unsupported entity known as Warzone Caldera.
2. What is Warzone Caldera?
Warzone Caldera was the re-branded name for Warzone 1 after the launch of Warzone 2.0. It was a separate, unsupported version of the game that allowed players to continue playing, but with no new updates or content.
3. When did Warzone Caldera shut down?
Warzone Caldera officially shut down on September 21, 2023.
4. Why did Activision shut down Warzone Caldera?
Activision shut down Warzone Caldera to consolidate its resources and focus on the development of Warzone 2.0 and future Call of Duty content.
5. Can I still play the original Verdansk map?
No, the Verdansk map, which was a main staple of Warzone 1, is no longer available. The shutting down of Warzone Caldera removed all access to this and any other of the old maps.
6. What happened to my cosmetics and progression from Warzone 1?
Cosmetics and progression earned in Warzone 1 remain available in their respective associated multiplayer modes: Modern Warfare (2019), Black Ops Cold War, and Vanguard. However, they were not transferred to Warzone 2.0.
7. How big was the file size for Warzone 1?
Warzone 1 required around 175GB of hard drive space on PC, and about 92GB on consoles. Including the Modern Warfare game could increase the size to around 250GB on PC and 150GB on consoles.
8. Is Warzone 2 going to be shut down?
While Activision will continue to focus on developing and releasing future iterations of the Warzone experience, there is no indication that Warzone 2.0 is going to be shut down any time soon.
9. When did Warzone 1 originally come out?
Warzone 1 was originally released on March 10, 2020.
10. Was Rebirth Island removed from Warzone 1?
Yes, Rebirth Island was removed from Warzone 1 when Warzone Caldera was shut down in September of 2023. The only way to access it now is to wait for future releases from Activision.
11. Why did Warzone 2.0 lose players?
Despite an initial surge, Warzone 2.0 did lose players because of several factors. Many players expressed disappointment in the changes to gameplay, lack of concern for player feedback, and the overall direction of the new game.
12. How big is the file size of Warzone 2.0?
The file size for Warzone 2.0 varies by platform, but usually sits around 55GB to 70GB, depending on the specific platform.
13. Will Rebirth Island come back to the Warzone ecosystem?
Yes, Activision has announced that Rebirth Island and some other fan-favorite maps will be making a return to the Warzone ecosystem in 2024.
14. Where is the original inspiration of the map Verdansk from?
Verdansk was inspired by the Ukrainian city of Donetsk.
15. What is the new big map for the Warzone experience in Modern Warfare III?
The new big map for the Warzone experience is called Urzikstan and is a major region in the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare narrative.