Call of Duty: Warzone Welcomes Back Verdansk in Major Season 03 Update

LOS ANGELES, CA — Call of Duty: Warzone is set to return to its roots with the revival of the Verdansk map at the start of Season 03 on April 3, 2025. This highly anticipated update features a revamped Battle Royale experience designed to recapture the essence of the original game launched in 2020.

Players can expect a nearly identical recreation of the original Verdansk map, enhanced with quality-of-life improvements and visual upgrades aimed at modernizing the gaming experience. Notably, 95% of the landscape has remained unchanged, offering veterans a nostalgic return while including subtle adjustments that enhance gameplay.

The upcoming season will kick off with a 24-hour free trial period that allows all players to access the premium content offered in the new update. “Ruck up! You’re headed to the war zone!” reads the eager announcement from Activision, hinting at the exciting gameplay to follow.

Players can prepare for the return of the beloved gameplay mechanics that include original Supply Boxes, Floating Loot, Armor Satchels, and Engagements optimized for large-scale battles with 150 players. The iconic announcer is back, along with the ability to shoot during freefall, enriching the immersive experience.

“This version of Verdansk embodies the look and feel of the original, with slight enhancements to ensure modern gameplay,” said a spokesperson from Activision. “We have meticulously rebuilt the map to enable authentic back-to-basics play, while reintroducing fan-favorite elements from previous seasons.”

One of the standout features is the complete redesign of the Kastovian Coast, adding new coastline trenches and engagement routes, promising players will dive into familiar territories. Many notable locations, such as the Superstore, Airport, and Military Base, remain pivotal hotspots for various playstyles.

Besides the return of classic gameplay elements, this update introduces enhancements that improve player movement, combat flow, and audio visibility. The new enhancements make subtle changes to how players engage through changes in terrain and structure access points, echoing sentiments of yesteryear while sharpening the competitive edge of every match.

With Season 03, players may explore a variety of game modes, including the 150-player Battle Royale, Plunder, and the newly introduced ranked play as the season unfolds. Activision is also introducing a brand-new Battle Royale Casual mode featuring artificial Intelligence opponents that aim to ease newcomers into gameplay.

The event’s kickoff coincides with a variety of rewards, including new weapons and exclusive operator skins that were initially seen during the 2019 era. The original operator models and weapons such as the Kilo 141, CR-56 AMAX, and HDR are all confirmed to return, further nostalgic for long-time fans of the franchise.

The major update reflects Activision’s commitment to fan feedback while reintroducing beloved features that defined the early success of Warzone. “We wanted to ensure that players returning to Verdansk feel the same excitement and familiarity as before while experiencing the enhancements we’ve made,” added the spokesperson.

With the countdown to launch tallied and final touches underway, players eagerly await to drop back into the fierce battles of Verdansk, ready to create new strategies and forge new memories on a canvas forged from old.