The Fate of Warzone: Will It Survive the Launch of Warzone 2?
The arrival of Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0 brought significant changes to the battle royale landscape, leaving many players wondering about the future of the original Warzone. The simple answer is: no, the original Warzone, as we knew it, did not survive the launch of Warzone 2. It underwent a transformation, was briefly relaunched under a different name, and ultimately, its servers were shut down. This article will delve into the complex transition, explaining what happened to the first Warzone when its successor arrived, and answer many frequently asked questions players had during this period.
The Transition: From Warzone to Warzone Caldera and Beyond
When Warzone 2.0 was released, it wasn’t a simple update to the existing game. Instead, it was a completely new, standalone title built on the same technology as Modern Warfare II (2022). This meant that the original Warzone had to undergo a significant change. Initially, it was relaunched as Call of Duty: Warzone Caldera. This version of the game, as the name suggests, focused on the Caldera map, and crucially, retained all of the player’s equipment and progress they had earned in the first Warzone. This was a crucial factor, as it allowed players to continue using their hard-earned cosmetics and loadouts.
However, Warzone Caldera was never intended to be a long-term solution. It served as a transition period, allowing players who preferred the original gameplay style to continue playing, while the rest of the player base explored the new offerings of Warzone 2.0. This transitional period, though beneficial to some, was not indefinite.
The Inevitable Shutdown of Warzone Caldera
The final chapter for the original Warzone arrived on September 21, 2023, when Activision officially shut down the servers for Warzone Caldera. This was a predetermined decision, announced months earlier, as the company shifted its focus entirely to Warzone 2.0 and other future Call of Duty content. The shutdown marked the end of an era for the first Warzone and its maps like Verdansk, Rebirth Island, and Fortune’s Keep, leaving a void for players who favored that specific experience. Importantly, though, players’ progression and purchases were not lost entirely – they remain accessible in the respective multiplayer modes of Modern Warfare (2019), Black Ops Cold War, and Vanguard.
Understanding Warzone 2.0 and its Relationship to the Original
Warzone 2.0 is not a continuation of the original Warzone, but rather a completely separate entity. It is a free-to-play battle royale game built upon a new platform using Modern Warfare II’s engine. This means the gameplay mechanics, map designs, and overall user experience are significantly different. While players do not need to purchase Modern Warfare II (2022) to play Warzone 2.0, the two games are linked in some ways. For example, if you want to play the Battle Royale mode or the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) mode you’ll have to install Warzone 2.0.
This separation also meant that player progression, including cosmetic items and unlocks, did not carry over from the original Warzone. This decision, although frustrating for some players, allowed the developers to create a fresh experience with Warzone 2.0, free from the restrictions of the original game.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Warzone Transition
To further clarify the confusing situation surrounding the transition from the original Warzone to Warzone 2.0, here are 15 frequently asked questions with detailed answers:
1. Will progress from the original Warzone transfer to Warzone 2.0?
No. Your progression, including unlocked items and cosmetic purchases, will not transfer to Warzone 2.0. This was a clean slate start for the new game. However, all earned content remained accessible in the respective titles the content came from.
2. Is Warzone 2.0 a separate install from Modern Warfare 2?
Yes, Warzone 2.0 is an optional install. It’s not required to have it installed to play Modern Warfare II (2022). However, if you want to play Battle Royale or DMZ modes, you need to download Warzone 2.0.
3. Can I delete the original Warzone if I play Warzone 2.0?
Yes. Since Warzone 2.0 is a separate game, you can safely delete the original Warzone (or Warzone Caldera) from your system once you’re done with it.
4. Was Warzone Caldera just a temporary solution?
Yes. Warzone Caldera was a transition game to allow players access to their unlocked content from the original Warzone while Warzone 2.0 was getting established. It was never intended to be a permanent replacement.
5. Is Warzone 2.0 the same game as the original Warzone?
No. Though both are battle royale games under the Call of Duty banner, Warzone 2.0 is a new game with completely different systems, map design, and gameplay. It was built using the engine of Modern Warfare II (2022).
6. Do I need to own Modern Warfare 2 to play Warzone 2.0?
No, you do not need to purchase Modern Warfare II (2022) to play Warzone 2.0. It is a free-to-play standalone game.
7. How large is the download size for Warzone 2.0?
The download size varies based on the platform. On Xbox Series X/S, it’s around 62 GB, while on Battlenet, it’s around 23.6 GB, and on Steam it’s about 22.6 GB.
8. What happened to the Rebirth Island and Fortune’s Keep maps?
Both Rebirth Island and Fortune’s Keep were initially removed with the launch of Warzone 2.0, but have since returned in 2024, much to the delight of players.
9. Why did Activision shut down the original Warzone (Caldera)?
Activision shut down the servers for Warzone Caldera to focus resources and development efforts on Warzone 2.0 and future Call of Duty content.
10. Can I get my old Warzone skins back in Warzone 2.0?
Unfortunately, no. You cannot use the skins and cosmetics you earned or purchased in the original Warzone in Warzone 2.0. The cosmetic content remains available in other Call of Duty modes.
11. Is there going to be a Warzone 3?
There is currently no planned Warzone 3 as a separate title. The current Warzone will continue to receive updates and integrate with new Call of Duty titles. This also led to Warzone 2.0 to be rebranded to just Warzone since its initial release.
12. Who developed Call of Duty: Warzone?
Call of Duty: Warzone was developed by Raven Software and Infinity Ward and was published by Activision.
13. Is Verdansk going to return?
Verdansk has been available in Call of Duty Warzone as a rotating map, in recent updates. It’s no longer a permanent map though.
14. Was Warzone Caldera a free-to-play game?
Yes, like the original Warzone and Warzone 2.0, Warzone Caldera was a free-to-play battle royale title.
15. Do I have to install a launcher for Warzone 2.0?
Yes, you will need to install a free version of the MW2 launcher in order to access Warzone 2.0, even if you don’t own Modern Warfare II (2022).
The Legacy of the Original Warzone
While the original Call of Duty: Warzone may no longer be directly accessible, its impact on the gaming landscape is undeniable. It introduced a generation of players to the battle royale genre, and its legacy lives on through the experiences of the players and the evolution of the franchise, now Warzone, rather than Warzone 2.0. While its successor, Warzone, continues the journey, the original Warzone will always have a place in the hearts of its players, and represents the end of an era.