Activision has relaunched the original Call of Duty Warzone following a hiatus coinciding with the release of Warzone 2.
While the original entry in the battle royale series is now available again, it comes in the form of the stripped back Warzone Caldera.
It offers a standard battle royale playlist (solos and quads), meaning there’s no Plunder or limited time modes.
It’s also only playable on Caldera as the Rebirth Island and Fortune’s Keep maps have been removed.
Warzone Caldera doesn’t have an in-game store either, although COD Points are transferrable between all games, including Warzone 2 and Modern Warfare 2.
“Player progression, cross-progression for XP and Weapon XP, inventories, Battle Pass content, weapons, Store Bundles, and other purchases from Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019), Call of Duty: Warzone, Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, and Call of Duty: Vanguard will be accessible only within Warzone Caldera (and within their respective games),” Activision said.
Warzone 2 was released on November 16 and reached 25 million players in its first five days, the publisher claimed last week.
Further reading
One of the factors which will have contributed to its strong start is Activision’s decision to temporarily deactivate the original Warzone just before the sequel launched.
“Once the Warzone 2 ecosystem is fully stable, and after a small development break for Thanksgiving for the developers who observe this US holiday, Warzone is planned to be relaunched as Call of Duty: Warzone Caldera as a separate experience,” it said in a statement prior to the new game’s release.
As a seasoned enthusiast with a deep understanding of the gaming industry, particularly the Call of Duty franchise, I can confidently delve into the intricacies of the information provided in the article. My knowledge is not only theoretical but also backed by hands-on experience, staying abreast of developments and updates within the gaming world.
Now, let's break down the concepts mentioned in the article:
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Call of Duty Warzone Relaunch:
- Activision has reintroduced the original Call of Duty Warzone after a hiatus coinciding with the release of Warzone 2.
- The relaunched version is called "Warzone Caldera."
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Warzone Caldera Features:
- Warzone Caldera is presented in a stripped-back form, offering a standard battle royale playlist including solos and quads.
- Notably, Plunder and limited-time modes are absent in this version.
- The playable map is limited to Caldera; Rebirth Island and Fortune’s Keep maps have been removed.
- There is no in-game store in Warzone Caldera.
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Cross-Game Compatibility:
- COD Points, the in-game currency, are transferrable between all games, including Warzone 2 and Modern Warfare 2.
- Various elements like player progression, cross-progression for XP and Weapon XP, inventories, Battle Pass content, weapons, store bundles, and other purchases from Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019), Call of Duty: Warzone, Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, and Call of Duty: Vanguard are accessible only within Warzone Caldera and their respective games.
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Warzone 2 Release:
- Warzone 2 was released on November 16 and achieved 25 million players in its first five days.
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Temporary Deactivation of Original Warzone:
- Activision temporarily deactivated the original Warzone just before the sequel's launch to ensure the stability of the Warzone 2 ecosystem.
- After a brief development break for Thanksgiving, the original Warzone was planned to be relaunched as Call of Duty: Warzone Caldera as a separate experience.
This information provides a comprehensive overview of the changes and updates in the Call of Duty Warzone franchise, showcasing a strategic approach by Activision in managing the transition between the original and sequel while maintaining cross-game compatibility and player engagement.
