Al Mazrah’s Fate: Is It Being Replaced in Call of Duty: Warzone?
The short answer is yes, Al Mazrah will be replaced as the primary battle royale map in Call of Duty: Warzone. The sprawling desert landscape that has hosted countless battles is making way for a new contender: Urzikstan. While this might be a seismic shift for Warzone players, it’s not the end of the road for Al Mazrah, nor does it mean the end of the excitement. The Warzone ecosystem is evolving, bringing both new and returning content to the forefront. This article will dive deep into the changes, explore what’s coming, and answer all your burning questions about the transition.
The Rise of Urzikstan
Urzikstan, a fictional country deeply embedded in the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare narrative, is set to become the new focal point for large-scale Warzone battles. This isn’t just a cosmetic change; developers are promising improvements in map design, specifically focusing on better rotation and cover options. Urzikstan aims to provide a more strategic and fluid experience, drawing inspiration from elements that made classic Call of Duty maps so beloved. The nostalgia factor, combined with fresh design choices, is what has many players eagerly anticipating the switch.
Urzikstan’s introduction doesn’t mean the complete obliteration of existing maps. Warzone will continue to feature smaller Resurgence maps like Ashika Island and Vondel, ensuring a variety of experiences within the same game. The landscape is shifting, not disappearing. The move to Urzikstan is a significant move, and is intended to breathe new life into the Warzone experience. It marks a new chapter in the battle royale’s continuous evolution.
What Happens to Al Mazrah?
While Al Mazrah is being replaced as the primary large map, it’s important to understand it’s not being removed from the game entirely, at least not yet. The transition to Urzikstan is a strategic move to align with the narrative and content of Modern Warfare 3. This doesn’t necessarily mean Al Mazrah is completely gone forever, but its role will undoubtedly be reduced. At this point, there have been no official statements about when or if Al Mazrah will be rotated back into the main map slot.
It is safe to say that Al Mazrah has been a large part of Warzone for over a year, and it has served its purpose in that timeframe. It was noted to be significantly larger than Verdansk and slightly larger than Caldera, it was the biggest battle royale map the franchise had seen.
A Wave of Returning Content
The shift isn’t solely about new maps. Fans will be ecstatic to know that some of the most beloved maps from the franchise’s past are returning as well. Rebirth Island and Fortune’s Keep are both slated to make a comeback, providing more options for players who prefer faster-paced, smaller-scale combat. This infusion of familiar content alongside the introduction of Urzikstan creates a diversified landscape within the Warzone experience.
This influx of maps brings with it a variety of gameplay options for all players. The long-awaited return of maps like Rebirth Island and Fortune’s Keep were one of the main talking points that came out of the Call of Duty: Next event.
Modern Warfare 3 and Warzone Integration
The introduction of Urzikstan is a key part of the integration between Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (MW3) and Warzone. Warzone will use the same launcher, meaning players will simply need to update their existing game. This seamless transition ensures that all players have access to the latest content without any unnecessary hurdles.
Warzone in MW3 will remain free-to-play, ensuring that the battle royale experience remains accessible to a broad player base. This also means that if you are already a Warzone player, you won’t have to purchase anything to play on the new map of Urzikstan.
MW3 Map Offerings
While the campaign mode promises an intense narrative, MW3 also offers a plethora of multiplayer maps. Included in the release are 16 reimagined maps from the 2009 edition of Modern Warfare 2, such as Highrise, Sub Base, Estate, Terminal, Wasteland, Afghan, Rust, and Underpass. These maps will bring classic gameplay to the forefront, adding nostalgia to the overall experience. A new Zombies mode is also slated to make its return.
No Verdansk in Warzone 2… But MW3?
The original Warzone map, Verdansk, will not return to Warzone 2. This has been a point of contention for many players. However, in a twist, Verdansk makes a return in the MW3 campaign as the site of a key mission to rescue Prisoner 627 who is revealed to be Vladimir Makarov and not Captain Price as first believed. Despite its campaign appearance, Verdansk will not be available as a playable map in the battle royale. This means it won’t be found in either Warzone 2 or MW3 multiplayer.
The idea of Verdansk returning has not been entirely ruled out for future seasons, but for now, it is only available in the MW3 campaign.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to provide further clarity on the changes happening within Warzone:
1. Is Urzikstan a real place?
No, Urzikstan is a fictional country created for the Call of Duty universe, primarily featured in Modern Warfare games.
2. What inspired the design of Al Mazrah?
Al Mazrah’s design is heavily inspired by the city of Baghdad, with its central river and archways. This design is intentional to make the location feel like a familiar, yet different place in the Call of Duty universe.
3. Will Al Mazrah be removed entirely from the game?
No, Al Mazrah is not expected to be removed entirely, but it will be replaced as the primary battle royale map by Urzikstan. Its role will likely be reduced, with no current plans to bring it back as the main map.
4. Are Rebirth Island and Fortune’s Keep really returning?
Yes, Rebirth Island and Fortune’s Keep will return to the Warzone ecosystem in Modern Warfare 3, offering alternative, smaller-scale experiences.
5. Is Warzone free in Modern Warfare 3?
Yes, Warzone is free in Modern Warfare 3. It will use the same launcher, so players can simply update their existing game.
6. What are the confirmed maps for MW3 multiplayer?
Confirmed maps for MW3 multiplayer include: Highrise, Sub Base, Estate, Terminal, Wasteland, Afghan, Rust, and Underpass, all of which are reimagined from the 2009 MW2 release.
7. Will there be a Zombies mode in MW3?
Yes, a Zombies mode is confirmed to make its triumphant return in Modern Warfare 3.
8. Is Verdansk coming back to Warzone 2?
No, Verdansk will not be returning to Warzone 2 as a playable map.
9. Does Rust exist within Al Mazrah?
No, the map “Rust” is not in Al Mazrah. Players are able to visit it in the MW3 multiplayer.
10. Is Al Mazrah bigger than Verdansk?
Yes, Al Mazrah is significantly bigger than Verdansk and slightly larger than Caldera.
11. What does “Al Mazrah” mean in English?
In Arabic, “al-mazra’a” (p. mazari’) means “the sown land” or “farm”, which is a common place name for cultivated lands outside a primary settlement.
12. Is the current Warzone map gone?
The current main map, Al Mazrah, will be replaced by Urzikstan. However, it is not anticipated to be removed entirely, and instead be put on the backburner to be rotated in at a later time.
13. Where is Verdansk based on in real life?
Verdansk is inspired by Donetsk, a city in Ukraine, with specific elements like the airport and stadium mirroring the real city’s features.
14. What is the campaign of MW3 like?
The MW3 campaign is expected to be a high-octane experience, with action-packed set pieces, vehicle chases, covert operations, and open combat missions. The story picks up directly after the events of Modern Warfare 2.
15. Who is Prisoner 627 in MW3 (2023)?
Prisoner 627 in the MW3 campaign is revealed to be Vladimir Makarov, a key antagonist in the Modern Warfare series.
Conclusion
The shift from Al Mazrah to Urzikstan signifies a new era for Call of Duty: Warzone. While Al Mazrah may be stepping down from its primary role, the introduction of Urzikstan, along with the return of beloved maps like Rebirth Island and Fortune’s Keep, ensures that Warzone remains a dynamic and engaging experience. Modern Warfare 3’s integration will also bring fresh content, familiar settings, and enhanced gameplay. So, while you may be saying goodbye to Al Mazrah as the main map, get ready to deploy into the new battleground of Urzikstan. The Warzone evolution continues, and the future looks both nostalgic and exciting.